BankThink

New Credit Score Models Hold Promise for Credit Access

06/02/15

Access to credit is too tight. But new credit-scoring models could increase the number of eligible borrowers in the U.S. without weakening todayÂ's underwriting parameters.

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Morning Scan: Supreme Court Sides with B of A; Can Bank Reports Rebuild Trust?

06/02/15

Receiving Wide Coverage ... Stuck with Second Mortgages: The Supreme Court sided with banks Monday by ruling homeowners cannot void second mortgages in bankruptcy even if their homes are underwater. The unanimous decision in favor of Bank of America leaves struggling homeowners with even fewer options, according to New York Times columnist Stephen Lubben. But he suggests banks may eventually have to provide relief to underwater borrowers "if they ever want to move on. After all,Â...

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Why CDFIs Stand Out from the Pack

06/01/15

Most banks are interchangeable in the eyes of the average consumer. But a recent survey finds that mission-oriented banks distinguish themselves with greater employee diversity and a stronger commitment to lending in low- and moderate-income communities.

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Where Banks' Cost-Cutting Calculations Go Wrong

06/01/15

Banks need to keep a lid on personnel-related expenses. But many of them are missing out on opportunities to dig deeper into the data and determine the appropriate hours and staffing for their retail locations.

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Morning Scan: British Banks Search for FIFA Fouls; Will Citi Close Banamex USA?

06/01/15

Receiving Wide Coverage ...

Banks Hunt for FIFA Liability: As banks in the U.S. and U.K. face scrutiny over whether they should have flagged transactions tied to the FIFA bribery scandal, some of Britain's largest financial institutions are looking to get ahead of the ball. The Wall Street Journal reports Barclays and HSBC are conducting internal reviews of the payments allegedly used to transfer $150 billion in bribes and kickbacks to soccer officials. The BBC has...

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How to Avoid Market Panics When Big Banks Fail: Weekly Wrap

05/29/15

A recap of the informed opinions (and the discussions they generated) on BankThink this week, including a call for a small-business loan brokers' code of ethics and why Congress needs to level the playing field for investors in bank obligations.

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Bank Brands Need to Make Their Own 'Finding Nemo'

05/29/15

The Disney-Pixar movie 'Finding Nemo' inspired a run on clownfish in pet stores across America. Banks should pursue the same effect with content that connects with customers on an emotional level and inspires them to take action.

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Morning Scan: Visa Threatens FIFA Sponsorship Withdrawal; Fuld Bites Back

05/29/15

Receiving Wide Coverage ...

Red Card: Visa has become a key player in the FIFA corruption scandal. The credit-card network, one of FIFA's top corporate sponsors, said it's disappointment in the FIFA scandal was "profound" and added it may end its sponsorship agreements with soccer's governing body if changes aren't made. Visa's comments were the strongest voice of concern among all of FIFA's corporate sponsors. FIFA earns a total $177 million yearly from corporate sponsors, which...

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Time to Drag Payment-Card Security Out of the Stone Age

05/28/15

A visit to an overnight shipping store in Napa Valley reveals that outdated payment-processing procedures remain de rigueur with some merchants Â-- despite the fraud risk.

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Credit Access Bill Would Shore Up Financial Literacy

05/28/15

Burdensome requirements prevent consumer reporting agencies from providing people with educational materials in a timely manner. The Facilitating Access to Credit Act would remove these arbitrary barriers.

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