Resources

More than a century ago, the nation's leading bankers applied their considerable political leverage to creating a central bank that would act as their backstop in times of crisis. In so doing, they institutionalized "too big to fail," created a "reckless co-dependency" and a Fed-first mantra within the banks that gives ordinary borrowers short shrift in times of financial stress. So says Nomi Prins, author of All the Presidents' Bankers.

For big banks, good first-quarter earnings news is likely to be in short supply. In addition to struggling with the usual suspects — weak loan demand, more regulation — they have a number of institution-specific issues to contend with. American Banker editors discuss.

Cozy relations between bankers and presidents have faced plenty of criticism over the decades. But they've also proven to be a vital asset during crises and enabled the U.S. to emerge as-and remain-a financial superpower. So says Nomi Prins, author of All the Presidents' Bankers.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is facing mounting problems over racial disparities in its hiring and performance evaluation practices, which have drawn criticism and Congressional scrutiny. American Banker reporters discuss what's next for the CFPB and its critics, and what Director Richard Cordray could do to improve his agency's situation.

Leading bankers and presidents have been tied together over the decades by more than money and power. From the days of Theodore Roosevelt and J.P. Morgan on, blood ties have played a role, too. So says Nomi Prins, whose new book, All the Presidents' Bankers, profiles the close and complex relations at the top of American finance and politics.

Bank tech experts can be forgiven for focusing heavily on cyber-security threats these days. But to stand among the leaders in the fast-evolving world of electronic money, bankers will have to find ways to become more innovative. American Banker editors discuss.

An upcoming Senate Banking Committee vote this month could be the tipping point needed for housing finance reform to actually happen — or it could signal yet more stagnation. American Banker editors discuss the political stakes and potential pitfalls as Congress attempts to change how the government supports the mortgage market.