February 2010
COVER STORY
Breaking the Logjam
If Washington really wants to get credit flowing to small businesses, it could modify TARP, relax capital requirements and rethink its stance on industrial loan companies. Or it could do nothing at all.
Florida's Long Road to Recovery
The Sunshine State was battered by the real estate bust, causing a wave of bank failures. The upheaval is reshaping the banking landscape as more regionals move in, but they'll need patience because conditions are likely to get worse before they get better.
FRONT AND CENTER
A New Calling
Two small New England banks are moving into a line of business few their size have tried. Is this the future of community banking?
WORD IS ...
Holding Pattern for Borrowers
Most bankers insist that they would make a lot more small-business loans if not for two key hurdles beyond their control: Many business owners seeking loans are risky credits, and creditworthy borrowers aren't too eager to add debt.
THE INSIDE TRACK
Credit Crunch Helps Credit Unions
By playing up how they can help create jobs, credit unions are gaining momentum with their effort to increase the cap on member business lending.
FAST FORWARD
Pursuing a Tinier Target
Banks have been slow to leverage small-business analytics, but Synovus is cashing in on a fresh intelligence trend.
MARKETING
Good for Business
Understanding that they are only as healthy as the communities they serve, banks are using their marketing prowess to help clients sell everything from burgers to bikes.
AD BEAT
GE Capital Thinks Small
After suffering staggering commercial real estate losses, GE's financing unit shifts its focus to small businesses.
RISK
The Neuroscience of Money: Finding How Traders Tick
Researchers are using neurology, genetics, biology and physics to build hypotheses about financial behavior. What can bankers and regulators learn from the results?
MAIN STREET
Community Banks Sound Off on Pay Plan
The Fed wants more control over executive pay, but many are arguing that smaller institutions should be exempt from the proposed rules.
WEALTH MANAGEMENT
The Rise of the Megafund
With more banks expected to shed fund units to raise capital, deep-pocketed investment managers are poised to get even bigger.
THE ECONOMY
Not Just Hype Small Business Means Jobs
Bankers are stuck between Obama's wishes and regulators' heightened caution over extending credit to small firms. Meanwhile, the recovery stalls.
OP-ED
Six Ways to Attract and Retain Small Businesses
Many healthy small businesses have had their credit lines cut even though there is no real change in risk for that business. At the same time, however, banks do not need to focus solely on credit.
OP-ED
How Regulators Are Inhibiting an Economic Recovery
Raising capital levels for banks deters new lending. Now is not the time for higher capital standards, but for enforcing standards already in place.
Hits and Has-Beens
Executive changes
Back Porch
Select quotes from the world of financial services.

