Banks are going to need to make hard decisions to exit some traditional businesses. The question is how to do it to maximize what you get at the exit, and in such a way that remaining businesses can thrive.
The federal government could avoid many unnecessary bank failures by making targeted preferred equity investments in community banks with a Camels 3 rating.
Word that a banking pool had returned its money to investors prompted our assistant managing editor to take a second look at the state of banking. The answers are discomforting.
Global enterprises - which do business with America's largest banks - beget mid-size suppliers that are served by regional banks. Small businesses in this supply chain are in turn nurtured by community banks.
In 1977, when CRA was passed by Congress, banks conducted business from their branches. The statute needs to change to reflect how business is done in today's banking system
Unless there is a quick, clear fix to the Countrywide Financial problem, such as the bankruptcy option, B of A stock will continue to languish as the market will always assume the worse.
August was a difficult month for bank stocks. The situation reflects a crisis of strategy. Most banks have not addressed their fundamental cost-structure imbalance.
