BankThink

Receiving Wide Coverage ...HSBC Discloses Probe During Earnings: HBSC reported a 28% rise in third quarter net profit on Monday largely related to falling loan charges. The bank also became "the latest to admit that it was the subject of an investigation by several authorities into its conduct in the foreign exchange market," Dealbook notes. Per the Journal, "HSBC had not suspended anyone in connection with the probe and ... none of the traders named by regulators still work at the bank." Financial Times

No market should over-rely on one entity. But references in regulations and lending guidelines to the dominant credit score provider have created unintentional government brand endorsement and blocked new entrants.

Maybe what credit unions really need is Super Car-io Bros., or Call of Duty: Compliance, or maybe Grand Heft Auto Loans.

Most every financial institution has been engaged in some type of improvement initiative over the past few years to improve operational performance and profitability.

The annual "A Day in the Life of Credit Unions Project" pictorial project in the October 14, 2013, edition of the Credit Union Journal is a fitting tribute to credit unions and the observation of International Credit Union Week. I commend you and your staff for putting together this outstanding feature.

There is no shortage of data when it comes to a credit union's credit card program. Every day there is a tidal wave of data about who used their cards, how many times, what they spent and where they spent it.

Youth may be wasted on the young-but not your efforts to promote debit cards. Despite the product's maturity, younger consumers demonstrate a clear preference for debit cards as their primary payment method.

A recap of the informed opinions (and the discussions they generated) on BankThink this week.

We should think twice before cutting off access to alternative lenders that serve as a last resort for millions of low-income Americans. We should also encourage banks to remove the barriers for these customers when they want to open a savings account.

Recent Fed chairman have embroiled themselves far too deeply into White House and congressional politics.