BankThink

Many of the complex and costly regulations implemented under the Dodd-Frank Act are unnecessary and burdensome for community banks. A two-tiered regulation system is the clear solution.

There are more than 6,700 banks in the United States competing for market share, and among each oneÂ's greatest challenge is effectively distinguishing itself from competitors that offer pretty much the same products and services.

There are many ways to do this, but whatever the tactical plan, it must start with an effective messaging and branding strategy. Crucially, that strategy should not be focused on selling stuff, but rather on connecting with customers or prospective ones...

Receiving Wide Coverage ...

Metal Fraud Concerns Grow: As banks investigate the possibility that a Chinese metal producer used the same materials as collateral for metal-backed loans, China's state-owned company Citic Resources Holdings attempted to secure its warehouse stocks of aluminum and copper. A half-dozen banks are looking into the suspected fraud, including Citigroup and Standard Chartered. Some of the lenders have decided to refrain from commodity financing deals in China "until they get clarity on...

Community banks can still generate solid returns and take on larger competitors. The ones that shutter are those that have failed to modernize and adapt to the changing times.

Receiving Wide Coverage ...

Suisse Weighs Spinoff: Credit Suisse may spin off a part of its fixed-income trading business. The Swiss lender is considering selling a stake in its Wake USA subsidiary to outside investors and making it an independent operation, according to anonymice. The move would be "designed to cut its capital costs, as banks around the world face declining revenues from trading bonds," the Financial Times reports. The Wall Street Journal has a similar...