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.
More bank executivesa lot moresay they're ready to throw in the towel.
The Columbus, Ga., company has overcome a series of challenges since 2008, yet it will face more in the coming year. CEO Kessel Stelling, in a Q&A, addresses questions about how it will boost revenue and profits.
Banc of California suffered from growing pains -- and a big third-quarter loss -- due to rapid expansion. CEO Steven Sugarman must prove to investors in 2014 that his efforts are leading to a stronger company.
Competition and regulation will make things difficult next year, but a panel of banking experts believes banks that mine new markets and expand product offerings have an opportunity to succeed.
As branch traffic declines, community banks are considering how to enter new markets with products such as online and mobile banking.
A recent survey found that a significant number of customer problems take multiple interactions to resolve or are left unaddressed. Improvement in this area is critical as banks try to keep customers.
Despite widespread concerns at community banks, industry experts assert that regularly testing can help bankers with strategic planning.
A large number of healthy community bank have struggled to gain access to capital. StoneCastle Financial hopes to change that.
The wealth management unit of Bank of New York Mellon is increasing its sales force by 50%, adding private bankers for affluent customers and has hired an executive away from Capital One.
WSFS Financial received more than 1,300 submissions to its annual pet photo contest, and donated roughly $2,500 to the Delaware Humane Association.
The Farm Credit Administration will also withdraw a proposal that would have allowed its lenders to make investments in non-agricultural businesses.
The SBA suspends fees to promote more lending below the $150,000 level.
One-fourth of bankers surveyed by KPMG expect to become sellers in 2014 as challenges and regulatory scrutiny rise.
Health and wellness programs are a great way to boost employee engagement and keeping health care cost down.
Directors at community banks could also face more liability as regulations, including the qualified mortgage rule, are implementing in coming months
The company lost money in the third quarter as it aggressively looked to build assets. At least one investor urged management to take a break from acquisitions during a quarterly call to discuss results.
New regulations and the end of the refi boom are forcing banks to seek new sources of noninterest income. Some are taking a hard look at offering services they can charge for.
Community banks sustained a 27% decline in mortgage banking income last quarter, confirming the laments of individual banks during earnings season. Some banks are getting creative to try to revive their business in coming quarters, but it will be tough.
The Small Business Administration is temporarily waiving fees on loans of $150,000 or less, and community bankers say it will encourage lenders and borrowers to pursue loans that they had shied away from in recent years.
Community bankers have become increasingly concerned about the government-sponsored enterprise as it has grown and expanded its client base.