BankThink

This behind-the-scenes attempt to shut down legal tribal businesses represents a total departure from more than a century of respect for, and engagement with, tribal governments as partners and co-regulators on issues ranging from law enforcement to economic development to education.

The recent security breaches at Nieman Marcus and Target remind us in the payments industry that as criminal efforts to steal cardholder data become more sophisticated, so must the methods we use to prevent these crimes.

Post-crisis structural changes will trigger a wave of community bank M&A, creating new regional bank powerhouses. Investors will pressure management to acquire, sell or return capital through dividends or repurchases. There will be no runners-up in the coming consolidation.

JPM Agrees to Sell Commodities Unit; Barclays Bonus Shaming

Recent guidance from the Justice Department and Treasury was intended to clarify federal policy. Policy statements, however well meaning, do not provide true legal protection. Only legislation can do that.

Like the Postal Service, small banks must radically change their business model, expect more consolidations and mergers, focus on critical services and avoid relying on the U.S. government for help – it could make things worse.

Amex's Business Travel Deal; Wall Street, Surprising No One, Rallies Against 'Big Bank' Tax

A positive spin around branches will proliferate, as will talk about wearable tech. Oh, and expect tons of M&A -- between banks and nonbanks.

With the DOJ's increasing profile as a bank enforcement agency, policymakers should seriously consider whether the benefits of continually increasing the number of regulators and the scope of regulation justify the impact on the availability and cost of credit in this country.

Nakamoto Says He's Not That Nakamoto; ARMs Make a Comeback