BankThink

Branch transformation is a hot topic these days — it seems everyone has a different idea of what it means. When I ask credit unions what they think of it, I get a myriad of responses.

More Fighting Over Fannie, Freddie; Yellen on Shadow Banks

"Engagement" gets more discussion at credit union meetings than a gathering of Kay Jewelers store managers.

Small-business owners are increasingly demanding risk advisory services along with comprehensive wealth management services, creating a potentially new revenue stream for forward-thinking banks.

No company should be designated as a systemically important financial institution before the Financial Stability Oversight Council knows what "more stringent" prudential standards the Federal Reserve will apply to it.

Yellen Down on Housing; Regulators See Risks from Non-Banks

Card-not-present (CNP) fraud is generating quite a bit of chatter in financial and payments circles today. Much of the talk centers on the link between greater global use of the EMV standard and rising CNP fraud.

Higher regulatory and compliance costs may push more small banks to sell themselves or merge with larger institutions. But so far, community bank consolidation rates are following historical patterns.

Collateralized loan obligations outperformed in the crisis. If regulators can exempt a vast swath of mortgages from risk-retention requirements, surely they can do the same for senior, secured corporate loans.

Alibaba's IPO Fees Windfall; Asian Hiring Probe Expands