PayThink

Regulators seem obsessed with preventing false negatives: loans that pass underwriting and then default. They should consider the costs of false positives, i.e., restricting loans that probably would perform fine.

A recent court ruling has put CFPB Director Richard Cordray’s job in jeopardy. But who should run the bureau if he has to step down?

Observers are wondering how focused successor Jack Lew will be to the Financial Stability Oversight Council in comparison to recently departed Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

"Small banks received special attention - and critical relief - in the Dodd-Frank Act and proposals tied to Basel III. Both include new minimum capital ratios, but banking companies with less than $500 million of assets are exempt from those requirements," writes American Banker's Andy Peters.

Improving the branch experience could fail to increase foot traffic, but will boost customer satisfaction, loyalty and, ideally, advocacy.

Local merchants, especially those with credit card minimums, may find a small surcharge improves customer service. Alternately, all retailers should consider product-level surcharging, with fees only for high-cost cards.

The act clearly stipulates that the Senate be involved in appointing the CFPB. Recess appointments, constitutional or not, are impermissible.

Dodd-Frank repealed the ban on paying interest on business checking accounts. No longer necessary to circumvent that restriction, sweep accounts with overnight repos can still protect and retain high-balance depositors.

Identify the megabanks' overpriced products and services, the customers they can't or won't serve. Use outside infrastructure to adapt quickly. B of A, Citi and other financial services oligopolists are highly vulnerable to competition.

Social media, as we're told nearly every day is the irrefutable, undeniable and inevitable future of the world, and that includes credit unions.