BankThink

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau appointed Kelly Thompson Cochran as acting assistant director for regulations. She’ll be filling the shoes of Leonard Chanin, who is returning to Morrison & Foerster.

Despite warnings of the potential dire consequences, a steady stream of government policies enabled and encouraged banks to make mortgages to people who could not afford them.

Just in case you thought otherwise, the Treasury Department has released an infographic outlining how Wall Street reform helps to strengthen small banks.

In order to increase loyalty, financial institutions need to embrace social media, increase value to retain existing customers and use data to design competitive rewards programs.

Receiving Wide Coverage ...Barclays Is Very Busy: The British bank named Antony Jenkins, its head of retail and business banking, as chief executive. The Journal says the move may represent "a shift in focus" away from investment banking as Barclays tries to revamp its image following its involvement in the London interbank offered rate scandal. Soon-to-be-board chairman David Walker told the FT "it was clear that Antony was the outstanding choice" and called his track record "highly compelling." It had to help that the British-born Jenkins is apparently nothing like his predecessor Bob Diamond, "an outspoken American investment banker" who the Times notes had been "booed and heckled by shareholders" in a meeting before the Libor scandal broke. Perhaps to drive home just how different the new and old CEOs are, Jenkins will be paid a base salary of £1.1 million. He will also be eligible for an annual bonus of £2.75 million and will receive shares in a long-term incentive program worth up to £4.4 million. Last year, the Journal reports, Diamond "received a pay award" close to £16 million.

Should San Bernardino's plan to seize underwater mortgages through eminent domain move forward, its home values would likely plummet and local credit would dry up.

Mitt Romney is not against banking regulation per se, he explained to Time magazine last week.

The Treasury Department has released an infographic outlining how the financial reform legislation helps to strengthen Main Street banks. Do you agree Dodd-Frank creates a level playing field for financial institutions?

The Volcker rule's liquidity account exemption is stirring debate. Some say it would allow for trades like JPMorgan's infamous "London Whale." Others argue it needs to be expanded in order to be effective in letting banks manage liquidity risk.

After I wrote a post last week expressing optimism about this technology's potential, several generous Bitcoin fans sent me small donations of the virtual currency. Thank you. Now stop. Please.