BankThink

U.S. Risks Falling Behind Europe in Blockchain Race

03/14/16

The more welcoming European regulatory environment for blockchain developers could take the competitive edge away from U.S. banks unless regulators here start championing fintech innovation.

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Morning Scan: Fed Picture May Clear; China to Sell Bad Debt

03/14/16

Receiving Wide Coverage ...

Fed in the Spotlight: All eyes will be on Janet Yellen this week as the Federal Open Market Committee meets. With the "new dot plot" expected, we should get a clearer view about whether the Fed still expects four rate hikes this year. Some Fed officials stress treading with caution, arguing risk is minimal if they move slowly. "We may well at present be seeing the first stirrings of an increase in...

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Too Many Bank Regulations Are Counterproductive

03/14/16

We are reminded frequently that policies with the best intentions often do not reach their intended recipients and at times lead to previously unforeseen issues.

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Apple-FBI Battle Exposes the Slow Pace of Regulation

03/11/16

The fight over the security protections on the San Bernardino, Calif., iPhone is about more than a single device or Apple's product line.

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Line Between Banks and Marketplace Lenders Thinner than You Think

03/11/16

Traditional financial institutions are often seen as the outdated rival to new disruptors, but the idea that a bank can't be a marketplace lender, and vice versa, is a myth.

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Morning Scan: Ratings Firms' Good Health; Will PayPal Buy a Bank?

03/11/16

Receiving Wide Coverage ... Goldman Faces Scrutiny for Malaysian Hire: Goldman Sachs hired the daughter of an ally of the Malaysian prime minister while it was seeking to do business with the government investment fund. The woman in question, Anis Jamaludin, worked for the bank for three months, though there are discrepancies as to the exact dates of employment. She was hired when the bank was seeking business from 1Malaysia Development Bhd while her father wasÂ...

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Women in Banking: Pam Joseph Returns; #TheNew10 for Canada

03/10/16

Canada is doing its own version of the #TheNew10; State Street launches an ETF pegged to businesses with female leaders; Sallie Krawcheck encourages women to take control of their own career destiny instead of waiting for men to come around; and the director of UN Women explains what Women's Day is really all about (are you ready to talk equal pay at your company?). Also, Pam Joseph is coming out of retirement and NCUA Chair Debbie Matz is leaving.

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Why Bank Stocks Are Getting Hammered

03/10/16

Not only are widening credit spreads for both banks and the companies they lend to a red flag, but the financial sector is also feeling a hit from lower energy prices.

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Seven Traits of Effective Risk Management

03/10/16

A mature governance framework and risk culture that reaches all employees, are among the attributes of a high-functioning "risk organization."

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Morning Scan: Former Salomon Chief Dies; Iran to Create 'Bad Bank'

03/10/16

Receiving Wide Coverage ...

U.K. Court Orders Banks to Pay Tax on Bonuses: The U.K.'s highest court ordered UBS and Deutsche Bank to pay taxes on shares given to employees more than a decade ago as bonuses. The decision occurred in two separate cases as British authorities argued in the court that the banks' bonus strategy was designed to avoid taxes. The two banks had awarded shares to employees from 2003 to 2004 in one-off bonus...

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