Jackie Stewart is the executive editor of American Banker Magazine. Previously, she covered breaking news, community banks and mergers and acquisitions for American Banker before being named as the managing editor of the Credit Union Journal. After graduating from Northwestern University in 2006, Jackie taught for two years in the Bronx, N.Y., through Teach for America.
A number of banks are looking at checking accounts without overdraft fees or check writing as a way to reach new customers and deepen relationships.
Doral Financial's (DRL) dispute with the Puerto Rican government over a tax refund will be heard on an expedited basis by the territory's courts.
The company claims in a lawsuit against the Puerto Rican government that the territory could lose "a major lender in the Puerto Rico housing market" if it is denied a $230 million tax refund.
The Columbus, Ohio, company started giving away pens in its branches in 2010. Now more than 20 million are in circulation around the world with a few ending up in bizarre places, including the movie Bad Grandpa.
Astoria Financial has shifted its attention away from residential mortgages to becoming a full-service bank that offers business banking and commercial real estate loans.
The emergence of several regional banks in California could prompt smaller institutions to weigh their M&A options. Higher operating costs and limited revenue opportunities could also force more consolidation in the state.
Women need to stop stressing out about giving equal attention to personal and professional goals, Teresa Taylor writes in her latest book. Taylor, a director at First Interstate BancSystem, also advises women to be more aggressive with networking if they want to sit on more corporate boards.
Community banks that are looking to complete acquisitions are deciding to go public so they have a stronger currency to offer potential sellers. However, recent IPOs have not performed as well as earlier ones.
David Malone, former CEO of Community Bank in Pasadena, Calif., was appointed to BBCN's board, which expanded to 11 members.
The Puerto Rican company is looking to shore up its capital levels after the FDIC invalidated about 40% of its Tier 1 capital. Management will have plenty of challenges as it looks to fill the capital hole.
Buyers still exist for mortgage platforms. The problem is that the gap in pricing expectations for buyers and sellers has widened since refinance activity stalled last summer.
Alice Hensen, president of the Bank of Sun Prairie in Wisconsin, is one of the many bankers who delayed retirement to help their banks survive the financial crisis. She is stepping down now that her bank's troubles are past and hopes it can find some "new blood."
Citizens Bank of Edmond, a $252 million-asset bank led by Jill Castilla, is eager to show that a lack of size shouldn't hold a bank back from doing things differently. The bank is embracing new ATM technology and active use of social media.
Doral, under pressure from the FDIC to boost capital or sell assets, is demanding a refund from the territory tied to certain receivables. The capital issue prompted to downgrades from several ratings agencies.
Prepaid cards are an appealing market for small banks that want to retain and recruit customers, though bankers must consider potential regulatory and competitive risks before jumping into the business.
A pair of acquisitions announced this week is creating chatter about out-of-market interest in Florida's banks. Still, some caution that bankers must be mindful of past mistakes by other long-distance buyers.
A number of community banks took sizeable hits during the financial crisis due to dealings in participation loans. As more banks to reconsider these loans, some industry observers wonder if banks will stay disciplined.
Noninterest income seemed to stabilize some during the first quarter, though smaller banks are still struggling to see meaningful increases in fees.
Commerce Union Bank in Springfield, Tenn., has agreed to buy Reliant Bank in Brentwood, Tenn.
S corporation banks are concerned that the capital conservative buffer under Basel III and a potential prohibition from paying tax-distribution dividends to shareholder could cause more of them to slow growth plans or merge.