BankThink

The crisis gave financial innovation a bad rap. Don't let that stifle fresh thinking.

Banking regulators' nonchalance about preparing for a crisis is puzzling.

It is time for the FHA and its supporters to put the interest of working-class families ahead of real estate agents and other interest groups who want to expand its abusive lending practices.

Sustainable growth requires banks to increase revenue steadily. We've seen we can't achieve this just by raising prices and by charging for what used to be free.

The FHA in its current form could not handle an emergency backstop role but would have a much better chance if moved out of HUD and combined with Ginnie Mae and the remnants of Fannie and Freddie.

Special credits, like accounts receivable financing lines, real estate construction loans or import-export lines, require experienced personnel because, while they may be quite profitable, they are inherently hazardous.

The Mayans may have been off the mark on that end-of-the-world thing but that isn't too say as 2012 closes it wasn't the end of days for some long-time credit unions.

Henry Wirz, CEO of SAFE Credit Union on fraud at small credit unions.

When it comes to your members, you know more than you realize. Thanks to modern data archive and member resource management systems, there is now little shortage of customer information-both individually and in aggregate.

Loans with little or no down payment were the root cause of the recent financial crisis. The failure to save for health care and retirement is the root cause of the next financial crisis.