BankThink

To compete with fintech startups, banks need to find more ways to use the mountains of data already at their disposal.

The banking industry has been raising alarms about the growth of a few credit unions, but the critiques ignore the vast size differences between the two sectors and the tremendous growth banks have seen since the crisis.

The president's suggestion that public companies report financial results twice a year instead of quarterly might win nods of approval from CEOs, but it’s unlikely to fly with investors. Still, there’s room for reforms to reporting practices, some backed by prominent bankers.

Although it’s required to by law, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has not had an independent director with state bank supervisory experience since 2012. It’s time for that to change.

The Community Reinvestment Act can lower — not increase — bank credit availability in some low-income regions, and the OCC should reconsider holding fintechs to the same standards with its new charter.