BankThink

FHA: 60 Years of Mission Failure

12/26/12

It is time for the FHA and its supporters to put the interest of working-class families ahead of real estate agents and other interest groups who want to expand its abusive lending practices.

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What If CRO Meant 'Chief Revenue Officer'?

12/26/12

Sustainable growth requires banks to increase revenue steadily. We've seen we can't achieve this just by raising prices and by charging for what used to be free.

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How Do We Fix Our Housing Finance System? Part II: Rethinking Government's Role, Starting with FHA's

12/24/12

The FHA in its current form could not handle an emergency backstop role but would have a much better chance if moved out of HUD and combined with Ginnie Mae and the remnants of Fannie and Freddie.

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Banks Must Manage Special Credits with Specialized Staff

12/24/12

Special credits, like accounts receivable financing lines, real estate construction loans or import-export lines, require experienced personnel because, while they may be quite profitable, they are inherently hazardous.

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Economy Will Survive Fiscal Cliff, But Not Fiscal Profligacy

12/21/12

Loans with little or no down payment were the root cause of the recent financial crisis. The failure to save for health care and retirement is the root cause of the next financial crisis.

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Why Private-Label Credit Cards Have Defied the Doomsayers

12/21/12

Private label credit card is the least expensive method of payment stores can accept. For that reason alone, it makes fundamental sense for every retailer to carry a program if feasible.

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Dear Santa, Please Let the Bankers Grow Up

12/21/12

As an industry, we do not need to be piling new regulations on our own head. When we fail to present a unified front and effectively communicate to professional lawmakers, the result will be ill-conceived laws.

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Why Internet and Mobile Banking Can Be Out of Sync

12/20/12

If banks apply a standard of parity, they will wind up in a holding pattern because right now and for the foreseeable future, Internet banking is not keeping pace with mobile platforms.

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UBS and Libor: The 'Epic' Saga Continues; NYSE Announces Merger

12/20/12

Holiday Notice: The Morning Scan will publish next on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. Happy holidays from all of us at American Banker. Receiving Wide Coverage ...

The UBS-Libor Saga Continues: "Epic," that's the word regulators (and, subsequently news outlets) are attaching to UBS' involvement in the London interbank offered rate-rigging scandal as more details emerge about what led to its recent $1.5 billion settlement with authorities and the arrest of two former traders Tom Hayes and Roger...

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Sparing the Rod Is Spoiling the Bankers

12/20/12

We must pay more attention to placing blame where it exists and punishment where warranted, not foisting penalties off on shareholders, investors, customers and employees.

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