"It is very difficult to argue with the FDIC observation that the system is in fact pro-cyclical. In good times, most institutions pay nothing for insurance coverage, and in bad times, when they can least afford it, they can be potentially hit with big premiums."
Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota, speaking at a Senate Banking Committee hearing on deposit insurance reform.
"The consumer market continues to be our top priority in the wireless space. There's certainly an industry-wide focus on enterprise and B-to-B wireless services, but it's a very powerful consumer channel, so that continues to be an important aspect of what we're focusing on."
Mark Dickelman, corporate vice president of mobile commerce and wireless at Bank of Montreal.
"This is a big deal. This will make the market for smart cards in the U.S."
Jerry Storch, vice chairman of Target Corp., announcing the company's plans to offer Target smart Visa cards.
"In the credit card business, a lot of activity is real time, so I think in Citigroup we feel as though we have a lot of experience and infrastructure we can leverage to make sure we manage fraud appropriately. I think it's hard to replicate that outside of a banking environment."
Antony Jenkins, chief operating officer of c2it, Citigroup's Internet payment system.
"It's easier to walk away from an obligation to some nameless bank in a faraway place, and it's more difficult to walk from an obligation to your community bank."
Joanne Shephard, president and chief executive officer, First National Bank of Valentine, a $109 million-asset bank in Valentine, NE.
"We want to outreach to the Hispanic community to let them know that banks want their business and that we can help them achieve their dreams of owning a home, saving for college and buying a car."
Brent Warren, Oregon Bankers Association, describing a series of upcoming Hispanic banking fairs.
"We have always taken the position that since we are operating on the Internet and never see our customers, it is extremely important for us to try and make reasonable attempts to know who our customers are."
D.R. Grimes, chief executive of NetBank Inc., a Georgia-based Internet bank which acquired rival CompuBank and subsequently froze some customer accounts.
