Best in Banking, CRA reform, Operation Choke Point: Top stories of the week

November 30, 2018 2:07 PM

Opus in California parts ways with its founder

Stephen Gordon, who led the bank's recapitalization in 2010, is being replaced as CEO on an interim basis by former FirstMerit CEO Paul Grieg.

(Full story here.)

Banker of the Year: Zions' Harris Simmons

His knack for public policy, dedication to technological improvements once considered the province of big banks, and willingness to tear up a business model that he and his father built make him our top Best in Banking honoree.

(Full story here.)

Comptroller of the Currency Joseph Otting

Former OCC chief Joseph Otting's CRA proposal was finalized in 2020. However, acting Comptroller Michael Hsu rescinded that in favor of the joint proposal.

Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

Cheat sheet: Hopes and hang-ups on CRA reform

Regulators have yet to issue a formal plan for updating the Community Reinvestment Act, but a list of questions about the reform effort issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has produced a treasure trove of public feedback.

(Full story here.)

Signage advertising short-term loans stands in front of stores in Birmingham, Alabama, U.S., on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015. In Alabama, the sixth-poorest state, with one of the highest concentrations of lenders, advocates are trying to curb payday and title loans, a confrontation that clergy cast as God versus greed. They have been stymied by an industry that metamorphoses to escape regulation, showers lawmakers with donations, packs hearings with lobbyists and has even fought a common database meant to enforce a $500 limit in loans. Photographer: Gary Tramontina/Bloomberg

Gary Tramontina/Bloomberg

There's no downplaying the impact of Operation Choke Point

Newly unsealed court documents make clear that regulators forced banks to terminate relationships with payday lenders and other lawful businesses, setting a dangerous precedent.

(Full story here.)

Joe Evans, former CEO of State Bank Financial, winner of Lifetime Achievement for Banker of the Year 2018

Lifetime Achievement: State Bank's Joe Evans

Evans started off his banking career by offering cold cans of soda to farmers in the field in the hopes of earning their business. Five decades on, he's become a legend in Georgia banking circles for his prowess in building high-performing community banks and selling them for top dollar.

(Full story here.)

Kelly King, chief executive officer of BB&T (left), and Brian Moynihan, chief executive officer of Bank of America.

Big banks' other weapon in battle for deposits: Wall-to-wall marketing

Technology is often cited as the leg up large banks have in winning over customers, but regionals are worried about the "billions and billions" bigger rivals can pour into ubiquitous ad campaigns.

(Full story here.)

Interest rates to minority borrowers versus whites on digital mortgages according to study by University of California, Berkeley

Weren't algorithms supposed to make digital mortgages colorblind?

Minorities are still charged more for mortgages when all other applicable credit factors are equal — both in person and online, according to a new study by the University of California, Berkeley.

(Full story here.)

Berkshire Hills CEO abruptly resigns

Michael Daly had been the Boston company's president and CEO since 2002. It did not say why he left.

(Full story here.)

A Wells Fargo & Co. sign sits on display outside the company's offices in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Tuesday, April 27, 2010. Wells Fargo & Co., the fourth-largest U.S. bank by assets and deposits, may raise its dividend once capital levels satisfy regulators and if the economic recovery continues, said Chief Executive Officer John Stumpf. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

Time to clean house at Wells Fargo

The megabank's continued compliance problems suggest that all of its board members, along with 100 of its most senior managers, should be replaced to make way for real change.

(Full story here.)

Banks flock to personal lending, but at what risk?

Unlike online lenders, banks are focusing primarily on consumers with solid credit scores. But unsecured loans to prime borrowers have a limited track record, so it's hard to predict how they'll perform when the economy inevitably weakens.

(Full story here.)