Commercial lending

Full employment not expected until 2024: Bank economists

01/14/21

A slower-than-expected rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines and the threat of social unrest after the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol could threaten the recovery, according to an American Bankers Association panel.

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Are CRE foreclosures on the horizon?

01/12/21

Commercial real estate portfolios have held up better than expected during the pandemic. But rising delinquencies and fears of a delayed economic recovery are renewing questions about credit quality.

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Banks pick apart OCC ‘fair access’ plan, but customers praise it

01/06/21

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s proposal to ensure banking services are available to polarizing businesses contradicts long-standing guidance on managing reputational risk, big banks argue. But gun makers, energy firms and others say it would correct an injustice.

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10 ways coronavirus upended credit union industry in 2020

12/31/20

From dealing with a flood of deposits to working with examiners virtually, credit unions were forced to quickly adapt to a new normal after the pandemic hit. Here's a look at some of the biggest changes and challenges they faced.

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Has the OCC become too politicized?

12/30/20

Bank regulators traditionally steer clear of more divisive debates in a polarized Washington. But some observers worry acting Comptroller Brian Brooks has gone too far by wading into issues such as public health orders and banks' decisions to curtail services to the gun and fossil fuel industries.

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Stimulus bill would give banks more flexibility on problem loans

12/23/20

The legislation would let banks postpone the start date of the Current Expected Credit Losses accounting standard and delay categorizing pandemic-related loan modifications as troubled debt restructurings.

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New stimulus package clears path for increased SBA lending

12/22/20

The legislation allows the Small Business Administration to waive fees and raise the guarantee for 7(a) and 504 loans, which could encourage more small businesses to apply for loans as the economy recovers.

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Citi trial puts banks on notice to make sure they’re not next

12/21/20

Win or lose, Citibank’s battle to recover half a billion dollars from an accidental payment is sure to prompt a review of internal controls in the industry and could have a lasting impact on the more than $1 trillion syndicated loan market.

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Pandemic’s projected hit to bank revenues: $3.7 trillion

12/15/20

A new report from McKinsey says that cost-cutting alone won’t make up for the steep revenue declines brought on by low interest rates and sluggish loan demand. “For some banks,” argues the report’s author, “mergers might be the best way out.”

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Huntington bets economic rebound, cost savings will justify TCF deal

12/14/20

The Columbus, Ohio, company says it has delivered on M&A promises before, and many observers say its deal for rival TCF Financial is an opportunistic move in its bid to build a Midwestern powerhouse. But others questioned whether Huntington's cost-cutting and profit expectations are too optimistic.

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