BankThink

Fed's Muddled Message Hinders Economic Growth

01/06/14

The Federal Reserve should allow market participants to make their own bets on what the central bank will do and when it will do it.

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Dick Bove on Why Wall Street Should Be Allowed to Embrace Risk

01/06/14

The United States is the most successful political, economic, and financial enterprise the globe has ever seen. It has this position because it has always embraced risk.

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JPM Set to Kick Off 2014 with Another Big Settlement; SEC Enforcer to Exit

01/06/14

Receiving Wide Coverage ...

JPM Madoff Settlement: New year; same story for JPMorgan Chase. Anonymice are telling their favorite news outlets the big bank is close to nearing another settlement with federal regulators. This one involves allegations that JPM ignored signs about Bernie Madoff's massive Ponzi scheme. The settlement is expected to include just over $2 billion in fines, paid out to victims of the Madoff fraud, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and...

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Another Side of the Bitcoin Debate; Are Dodd-Frank Mortgage Rules Necessary or Predatory?

01/03/14

A recap of the informed opinions (and discussions they generated) on BankThink this week.

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So Much for Simplified Checking Account Disclosures

01/03/14

Can the banking industry at least cool it with the footnotes?

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The Hazards of Lending to Bitcoin Users

01/02/14

The virtual currency has the potential to serve as collateral for loans, but creditors are likely more concerned with restricting borrowersÂ' Bitcoin use due to the regulatory uncertainty, irreversible payments, volatile exchange rates and the systemÂ's anonymity.

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Creditors Deserve Better Bankruptcy Reform

01/02/14

While a bankruptcy court has traditionally been a "debtorsÂ' court" committed to helping grant debtors a fresh start, it should not allow for unchecked opportunities to hold the whole process hostage.

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Dodd-Frank Unleashes Predatory Mortgage Regulations

12/31/13

The Â"ability-to-repayÂ" regime eviscerates fundamental principles of a mortgage Â"market.Â" It will not guarantee against a housing bubble and crash. It will constrain the availability of credit and increase home financing costs.

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How Some Small Banks Thrive in a Tough Environment

12/31/13

A focused strategy, executed by engaged, committed members of the board, management and staff in a culture that supports taking measured risk, sets the stage for success.

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It's a Wonderful Life, Through a Chief Risk Officer's Eyes

12/30/13

George Bailey has a lot to teach us about the ongoing basic risks faced by financial institutions.

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