p1aa5fuo89o0r1opdj1kd6o1me76.jpg
American Banker readers share their views on the most pressing banking topics of the week. Comments are excerpted from reader response sections of AmericanBanker.com articles and our social media platforms.
p1aa5fuo8l30bql41be7ua6rv37.jpg

On the absence of tech-related questions from recent bank earnings calls (via <a href="https://twitter.com/KMcDermottFTech/status/692359322412670977" target="_blank">Twitter</a>):

"'Analysts are skeptical about pie-in-the-sky futurism.' Imagine the bank that ignored ATM's or online banking? Tech's not optional."

Related Article: One Place Where Fintech Isn't Trending: Bank Earnings Calls

p1aa5fuo8mhn61g09kudh7b1tg78.jpg

On Discover Financial Services launching a credit card designed for riskier borrowers:

"Here we go again — Alt-A lending again? Some people just never learn. Who will bail them out in a few years?"

Related Article: Discover Unveils Credit Card Aimed At Riskier Borrowers

p1aa5fuo8n1uj4u8l2f96bevu9.jpg

On fintech companies crunching social media data to underwrite loans:

"Imagine if your 'friends' tell the bank bad things about you. Are they now a 'credit bureau or reporting agency'? Do they have to provide you with a free report about what they said about you so you can set the record straight? Can you sue them [with] libel? Do the friends have protection if they offer an unfavorable opinion?"

Related Article: With a Little Help: Friends Vouch for Borrowers in New Loan Model

p1aa5fuo8pch37h314mlneglu4a.jpg

In response to criticism of a controversial accounting plan for setting aside loan-loss reserves:

"These data driven models are wonderful conversation pieces, but it seems like they never quite model out reality when the real stresses hit."

Related Article: Bankers' Lobby Steps Up Attacks on FASB Reserve Proposal

p1aa5fuo8q1bjl33b1hvo1j8ptjb.jpg

In response to an op-ed arguing that consumers are hurt by the CFPB's regulation of auto lenders:

"The neediest consumers get the worst of this. Typical CFPB."

Related Article: CFPB's Auto Finance Push Hurts Consumers

p1aa5fuo8r1i8q1q111us015q910nsc.jpg

Questioning the benefits of models, such as that proposed by FASB, to predict losses:

"There were a lot of extremely smart people in very expensive suits at Lehman Brothers and other places that had highly sophisticated models predicting how their financial instruments would perform in the future. There were also a very large number of community bankers whose experience and 'gut' told them it was all crap. Moral of the story: Beware of bright young MBAs with powerpoint presentations on predictive analytics…"

Related Article: Why FASB Reserving Model Isn't as Bad as Banks Think

p1aa5fuo8s182khkf15se1jd1ek7d.jpg

Responding to an op-ed arguing that large banks have made progress in reducing their risk since the financial crisis:

"The Risk Officers may be trying to fight the good fight, but the bankers are still showing up in Aspen for that well-deserved break in the action. After the sun goes down, I doubt many bankers would testify that they have a lot of comfort regarding their true positions and risk exposures — the kaleidoscope has a few too many crystals for simple pattern recognition."

Related Article: Three Reforms Even the Loudest Banking Critics Should Applaud

MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER