BankThink

While wisdom typically becomes conventional because it makes a lot of sense, the trick is knowing when to turn conventional wisdom on its head.

By the end of 2014, people were buying more cars than any year since 2006, and they're spending more on each car they bought. Make sure your credit union is getting its share of these loans.

Consumers are drawn to smaller payments that longer terms can afford, but it's not just about getting a more expensive car; it's about wanting it for the same price they paid a decade ago.

A recap of the informed opinions (and the discussions they generated) on BankThink this week, including whether independent consultants should be criminally liable for misrepresentations in their reports and whether higher rates will help or hurt banks.

It's not enough for banks to avoid deceptive practices. As the CFPB's latest enforcement action against JPMorgan Chase makes clear, banks are obligated to ensure their systems protect consumers from easily preventable mistakes.

U.S. Investments Banks Have Upper Hand on European Rivals; Student Loans for the Rich

While the blockchain will doubtless offer some amazing innovations, much of the hype has focused on obtuse applications in existing markets rather than an exploration of how the technology will be used to create entirely new markets. There are big changes that are being pursued by the best and most ambitious minds in the financial technology and payments industries.

Bank of America puts an HR exec in charge of stress testing, a look at how Yellen compares to Bernanke at the 18-month mark as Fed chair, Sen. Collins tries to help small banks and Cullen/Frost shuffles some key executives.

Financial institutions take information security concerns very seriously, but few make it a priority to keep accountholders updated on their safeguarding efforts.

A recent FCC ruling lumps legitimate businesses in with the telemarketing abusers and will hold banks to unrealistic standards.