BankThink

An analysis of FDIC data shows the leverage ratio did little to distinguish banks that have failed since 2008 from those that remained healthy.

It's difficult to identify the victims of money laundering, other than the bank shareholders that must expend millions of dollars for the proactive compliance required as the state's deputized enforcers.

Receiving Wide Coverage ... HSBC Earnings: HSBC's first quarter earnings almost doubled year over year, with pre-tax profit rising to $8.4 billion compared with $4.3 billion during the same period in 2012. The increase is attributed largely to all that cost-cutting the bank has been doing and a decline in bad debts. Expect the cost-cutting efforts to continue. Per the FT, "the bank is expected to close or sell a further eight to 10 businesses this...

When experiments in lending are properly organized and priced, they can be successful for borrowers and lenders of all income groups, even in tough times.

Rather than worrying about carving up a depressed purchase market, policymakers should be looking for ways to ensure that creditworthy borrowers have access to homeownership.