Combining the federal bank regulatory agencies is an idea that has been discussed from time to time... >>more

Your customers might. Reverse mortgages enable homeowners 62 and older to convert the equity in their... >>more

With problem real estate loans on the rise and a declining market outlook, the challenge of obtaining full recoveries on loans is daunting. But there are a number of steps you can take that will significantly improve your chances of making a full recovery on a bad credit. Here are just a few ideas, in no particular order. Pre-Enforcement Asset Searches. Before beginning any loan workout or... >>more

They say 40 percent of all statistics are wrong. Given current conditions, this funny phrase expresses about the same level of certainty enjoyed in credit markets these days. It is not so funny when we consider the outcome of reliance placed on market experts who devised and engineered debt instruments intended to leverage so-called market efficiencies. The recent municipal bond auction failures... >>more

A strong brand can help influence customer behavior, improve your business success, create a competitive advantage and provide a clear direction for employees and customers. With the current marketing trends in community banking many banks are implementing name changes and rebranding. These efforts can be time-consuming and expensive, so how do you ensure a great return on the investment? First,... >>more

Initially the IT division was on a theoretical ‘25th floor’ and everyone was taking the stairs,” says Garry Petzold, the chief IT officer at First State of Altus, Okla. “To better serve our customer base, while also meeting the needs of our bank’s technology infrastructure, I started researching solutions that would automate business processes and improve workflow to give my team the tools we need... >>more

Current economic conditions — beginning with the first interest rate cut last year by the Federal Reserve Board in September, coupled with a weakened real estate market, rising non-interest expenses, shrinking net interest margins and the increased likelihood of a recession — have culminated in the perfect storm for banks as they struggle to remain profitable and maintain high levels of service. ... >>more

The contest for core deposits is getting more competitive every day. For community financial institutions, the battle for market share is even fiercer as they compete with the well-funded marketing efforts of the mega-banks and Internet banks. No longer are free accounts or toaster giveaways enough to lure a prospective new depositor. To keep pace, community banks need to find innovative new ways ... >>more

Long rates are high and short rates are low and it is going to stay that way for some time in the view of Jim Reed, senior vice president of UMB Bank in Kansas City. During an asset-liability management seminar at the bank recently Reed said, “We’ve got to face what reality is and work our way through it.” The program in mid-March for client banks from Missouri and surrounding states was timed to... >>more