BankThink

How to Retain Customers While Closing Branches

04/16/13

Avoid closing locations solely based on performance, test drive outreach programs and consider other options, such as amending hours, before shuttering an underperforming location.

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Small Banks Will Suffer from Big-Bank Breakups

04/15/13

Policymakers clearly don't want to harm small banks, but it's difficult to see how they can insulate us from the macroeconomic effects of some of the proposals being considered.

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'Rural' Mortgage Definition Another One-Size-Fits-All Rule

04/15/13

The requirement is a symptom of a larger problem: Inherently local knowledge is needed for most of the regulations tasked to regulators in Washington.

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Refi Party Is Over, Mobile Money Party Is Just Beginning

04/15/13

Breaking News This Morning ...

Earnings: Citigroup, M&T, First Republic, Webster Receiving Wide Coverage ...

Refi Party's Over: That seems to be the big takeaway from the JPMorgan and Wells Fargo first-quarter reports that came out Friday, which showed declines in mortgage banking income. Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, New York Times, Washington Post ...

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Regulators Should Nurture Insurers' Role in Mortgage Market

04/15/13

Private mortgage insurance should be identified as a viable option for credit enhancement as regulators contemplate post-GSE-reform models and Basel III revisions.

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Give Basel a Chance Before Introducing New Reforms

04/12/13

Numerous components of Basel III could empower bank regulators to increase the amount of capital banks hold, especially for large banks.

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Think Twice Before Entering Volatile Leverage Loan Market

04/12/13

Investors in search of yield are supporting a return to more aggressive, higher-risk transactions. Banks need the discipline of fixed underwriting standards to prevent mindless herding.

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JPM, Wells Earnings; European Banking Update; Bitcoin's Big Investors

04/12/13

Breaking News This Morning ...

JPM Earnings: JPMorgan Chase kicked off earnings season today by announcing a 33% rise in net income in the first quarter. The bank reported a profit $6.53 billion, or $1.59 a share, besting analyst expectations of about $5.4 billion in net income. Per the Journal, "strong investment-banking results offset declining mortgage revenue." Per some live-tweeting, JPM CEO Jamie Dimon dodged questions regarding the shareholder proposal to break up his role as...

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Prospects Bright for Stronger CRA, Fair Lending Oversight

04/11/13

The sensitivity now present at the highest levels of the Fed, OCC and FDIC offers great promise to consumers looking to acquire responsible loans from the banking industry.

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Let the FHA Charge for Risk, Like Fannie and Freddie Do

04/11/13

The riskiest loans get priced out of Fannie and Freddie securities and end up guaranteed by FHA. We are merely shifting risk from one set of federally insured entities to another.

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