Topic
Extraordinary Measures
An industry reshaped by crisis, and responses
In the year since the fall of Lehman Bros., the financial crisis has torn through the banking industry, leaving few parts of it — and few people in it — unchanged. Faced with grave and unprecedented challenges, banks and their regulators have responded in ways uncontemplated prior to the crisis, creating a new political and operational order, which is still unfolding. The following collection of stories on responses to the crisis will be updated as they occur.
Mortgages' Big Two Are Too Big to Avoid
American Banker | Sep 28The crisis and consolidation in banking have given Wells Fargo & Co. and Bank of America Corp. an unprecedented share of the mortgage market and new clout in their business relationships.
Card Issuers Adapted; Will They Evolve?
American Banker | Sep 25Like chameleons, American Express and Discover changed their skins to survive the financial crisis. They may actually be getting used to the camouflage.
Destination Is Clear, But Journey Isn't
American Banker | Sep 24In another paradox courtesy of a financial crisis that has been chock full of them, there appears to be more of a consensus on where the banking industry is heading than on where ...
Tarp's Price Tag: 'Too Big to Fail' Now Reality
American Banker | Sep 23The Troubled Asset Relief Program, by injecting $125 billion into the nine largest financial firms, erased any doubt the government would allow a major institution to fail.
Tarp's Toll Expected to Be Felt for Years
American Banker | Sep 22Nearly a year after it was enacted, the consensus is that the Troubled Asset Relief Program saved the economy from ruin — but it did so at a heavy cost for bankers.
Price of Admission Rises in Mortgages
American Banker | Sep 21More than two years after the mortgage crisis began, doing business with government agencies has probably never been so critical for home lenders — or expensive.
The Real 'Scarlet Letter' Was Not Receiving Tarp
American Banker | Sep 18A year after the Troubled Asset Relief Program came along, a growing number of community banks the government spurned are on the brink of failure.
Risks Are Many, But Half-Dozen Stand Out
American Banker | Sep 17Banking companies are better off than they were a year ago, but as the saying goes, past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.
Paying Back Tarp Debt in Installments
American Banker | Sep 16While the concept of returning Troubled Asset Relief Program funds to the Treasury Department in installments has its attractions, some observers are second-guessing that safety-first strategy.
Reluctance to Invest Now Can Exacerbate Tech Troubles Later
American Banker | Sep 15Coming out of this crisis, banks are going to want a nimble technology infrastructure that lets them respond quickly to every opportunity. Good luck with that.
