BankThink

Panama Papers Force Reality Check for Banks

04/06/16

If you're ever wondered about the scope of risks facing your financial institution from "insiders" potentially involved in shell company dealings, the Panama Papers provide some insight.

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The 'Glengarry Glen Ross' Approach to Bank Sales Doesn't Work

04/06/16

In a more competitive-than-ever industry, sales activity is an important part of bankers' jobs, but it is not the only part.

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CFPB Payday Rules Are Win-Win for Lenders and Consumers

04/06/16

For the benefit of consumers who rely on non-prime credit and the lenders that provide it, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules offering clarity and consumer protections canÂ't come soon enough.

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Morning Scan: Fed Minutes Primer; How Will Sanders Slash Banks?

04/06/16

Wall Street Journal The paper suggests five things to watch for in the minutes from the Federal Open Market CommitteeÂ's March 15-16 policy meeting, due out Wednesday. Investors and analysts will attemot to parse the minutes for clues about future action. At the meeting, the central bank opted to maintain the current short-term interest rate. Â"The minutes could shed light on the FedÂ's internal debate over the inflation outlook, which will be a key factor inÂ...

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How Brexit Could Hurt U.S. Banks

04/05/16

The United Kingdom's potential departure from the European Union has implications not just for British banks but for large interconnected financial institutions based here as well.

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Seven Bucks Is Too Much to Pay for Faster Payments

04/05/16

U.S. Bank's steep price for instant payments risks limiting the feature's appeal. Rather than overcharging, banks need to think longer-term about how to drive payments volume.

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Morning Scan: BofA's Stress Test Team; Hedge Funds Sue Puerto Rico GDB

04/05/16

Wall Street Journal The paper profiles Andrea Smith, a human resources executive at Bank of America, who was tapped to lead its stress test submission, which is due Tuesday. BofA has fallen short on the test three of the past five years, and the bank has opted this year to employ a manager, not a numbers cruncher, to lead the team working to satisfy the complicated and controversial post-crisis regulation. The Charlotte, N.C., firm was theÂ...

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Welcome to the 'Havoc' Phase of Fintech Disruption

04/04/16

Recent devaluations of startups and other signs of trouble do not mean the end of fintech upheaval but rather the start of acquisitions and other repositioning to advance stability.

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If a Meeting Isn't Going Well, Try These Tactics

04/04/16

When negativity threatens to stall progress, some surprisingly simple Â"little tricksÂ" can help resolve conflict and get employees more engaged, says Michelle Stacy, who spoke at a recent Pennsylvania Bankers Association conference.

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Pew's Call for Overdraft Reform Is Off-Base

04/04/16

Pew Charitable Trusts argues that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau needs to impose new rules on checking account overdraft policies. Does an analysis of CFPB's complaint database support this conclusion? Haberfeld's Achim Griesel says no.

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