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American Banker readers share their views on the most pressing banking topics of the week. As excerpted from the Comments sections of AmericanBanker.com articles.

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On the Federal Housing Administration's plan to get banks to loosen lending standards:

"As a bank chairman I cannot believe this is even getting traction in Washington … Heaven help us."

Related Article: FHA Working on Plan to Increase Lending, Reduce Banks' Risk

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On the housing market favoring investors over consumers:

"For there to be a true recovery in housing, the 'little guy' can't be shut out."

Related Article: Housing Market Favors Investors, Shortchanges Consumers

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On Iceland indicting bankers over the financial crisis:

"Iceland did not bail out the banks, is indicting the criminals who brought them down and as I recall, their economy is doing pretty good . . . anyone else see a pattern?"

Related Article: Iceland Indicts Bankers Over Financial Crisis

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On why more bankers aren't punished by the feds:

"They don't officially punish bankers very often because ... wait for it ... the incredible majority of bankers are absolutely playing by the rules."

Related Article: 'Too Big to Jail' Symptomatic of What's Wrong with Federal Oversight

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On the tough questions associated with ending 'too big to fail':

"Are we opening Pandora's Box by allowing the government to decide what is 'too big to fail'?"

Related Article: Facing the Tough Questions on Ending 'Too Big to Fail'

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On the hard questions associated with breaking up the big banks:

"It is rather 'easy' to give society the feel good notion of breaking up megabanks. It is but another thing to actually execute on such a plan without toppling the whole edifice and destabilizing the global economy."

Related Article: Facing the Tough Questions on Ending 'Too Big to Fail'

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On former JPMorgan CEO William Harrison asserting bank breakup efforts will fail:

"Harrison, how's the caviar and fine champagne?"

Related Article: Bank Breakup Push Will Fail: Ex-JPM CEO Harrison

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On how big banks can revamp their image:

"Don't promise relationships and deliver only monthly statements."

Related Article: How Can Megabanks Revamp Their Image? Go Back to Basics

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On a call for community banks to put together better-rounded boards:

"Small banks struggle to recruit directors in a climate of high regulatory risk and low compensation. Would you serve on a bank board for a $350 to $500 fee per meeting/month?"

Related Article: Banks Need More Well-Rounded Boards

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On the call to better manage vendor risk:

"Choosing and monitoring vendors is part of operational risk, that is, the breach in day to day activities due to people, technology, processes and external threats … So long as banks and other companies ignore operational risk, they will continue to be undercapitalized for these events."

Related Article: Managing Vendors Involves Managing Risk

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On regulators' sinking reputation:

"Quick response and prompt action is crucial to any regulatory measure … The delayed actions create history."

Related Article: Regulators' Reputation Sinks Along with Industry's

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