BankThink

Regulators Are Micromanaging Community Banks

"Time for a Separate Regulatory Tier for Small Banks" (Jan. 26) was on the money about the current regulatory environment and how it is impacting community banks and the overall economic recovery (or lack thereof). You have captured, with great accuracy, what community banks are facing.

Regulators now in fact micromanage the daily activities of community banks and every decision made at the bank has the air of "How will the regulators view this decision"? My experience is right in line with the information in your article, being at a bank that is regulated by the OCC, and coming from a bank that was essentially "regulated" by the FDIC into being sold to a large regional bank.

Thank you for bringing this information to light, it is appreciated.

Paul Varvaro
Vice President
Westport National Bank
Westport, Conn.

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