BankThink

Regulators and financial firms must listen to each other and work together to protect the interests of customers and stakeholders. Only then, will they be able to build a safe and sound financial system.

Homebuyers’ use of flawed automated valuation models creates an artificial drag on values during recoveries, amplifies appreciation during booms and results in a wide bid-ask spread that delays or torpedoes sales.

You've rebranded. Invested in technology. Maybe added branches or ATMs. And yet loan and member growth is either flat or tepid. Perhaps it's because you've forgotten to do something about the "friction."

While IRAs may not have always been a key driver for your credit union, research hows that ignoring them is not a good idea either. In fact, it may be detrimental to your business.

Linda Clampitt, senior vice president with CU Members Mortgage, explains why Gen Y are beginning to take advantage of opportunities in the housing market as they approach their 30s.

In the wake of the financial crisis and Bank Transfer Day, credit unions have a responsibility to clearly distinguish themselves from banks.

John Parsons of Cooperative Strategies Inc. details the top ten ways to get full perspective of credit union business.

Receiving Wide Coverage ...Shutdown Showdown: News outlets are heavily focused on a looming government shutdown as political tensions resulted in a Congressional stalemate just ahead of tonight's deadline to avert closure of non-essential government offices. The House did pass legislation over the weekend that would keep the government open through mid-December, but it includes provisions that would delay implementation of the Affordable Care Act for one year. Democrats have already indicated they will strip out these measures when the Senate reconvenes today. This will leave GOP leaders with "a stark choice," the Washington Post notes, "approve the simple funding bill the Senate has already passed or permit federal agencies to close." (The Wall Street Journal has put together a roundup of what services could be suspended on Tuesday if no agreement is reached.) A shutdown would set the stage for a battle over the debt ceiling, which must be raised by mid-October or else the U.S. risks defaulting on its debt. Economists "remain fearful of the fallout" from a prolonged government shutdown and potential default. "If the disagreements persist, the reaction in the markets is likely to become much more pronounced as Oct. 17 draws closer," Dealbook reports. More big picture coverage can be found here: Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Financial Times

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

Several Native American tribal leaders who were looking to block a civil investigation into their online payday lending practices have been denied by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.