Community Banking Advisor
Showing 145–160 of 255 results
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BANK Wire – Is your BSA/AML program up to date?
Fall 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 424
Abstract: A bill introduced in Congress would make it easier for the government to hold individual bank officers and directors personally liable for a financial institution’s Bank Secrecy Act / Anti-Money Laundering violations. This issue’s BANK Wire also includes an item on preparing for the new capital rules under the Basel III capital framework, which take effect in 2015. A third brief highlights a report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which summarizes nearly 400,000 consumer complaints the agency handled over the last three years.
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SWOT analysis is solid “armor” for lenders – Uncover risks among your business loan customers
Fall 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 652
Abstract: Police SWAT members put on protective gear before responding to risky situations. Similarly, lenders can protect themselves before approving commercial loans by conducting SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analyses. Lenders also can use SWOT analyses in their discussions with borrowers on mitigating risks. This article explains how a SWOT analysis examines a business’s strengths and weaknesses and looks at external factors that can have a positive, or negative, influence on a business.
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5 tips for a successful succession plan
Fall 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 524
Abstract: Community banks can’t afford to be without a succession plan. There’s no specific regulatory requirement that banks create a succession plan, but regulators generally view a formal plan as a best practice. For example, the OCC, in its Spring 2014 Semiannual Risk Perspective, listed “planning for management succession and retention of key staff” as a key risk issue facing community banks. This article offers five tips for developing an effective succession plan. Although they focus on the CEO, the suggestions also apply, in general, to forming plans for other key executives and directors.
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Regulators raise the bar on outsourcing relationships
Fall 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 850
Abstract: In recent years banking regulators have raised their expectations about bank oversight of outside service providers. This article details how, if your bank outsources key functions to third parties, it’s a good idea to review your existing relationships — as well as your policies, procedures and controls for managing those relationships — to ensure that they meet regulators’ expectations. A sidebar describes instances over the last two years when federal banking regulators cracked down on financial institutions that failed to adequately oversee third-party service providers.
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BANK Wire – CFPB to expand HMDA reporting
Summer 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 413
Abstract: In this issue, “BANK Wire” describes changes that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is considering to improve and expand data collection under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act. It notes the most common fraud schemes in the banking and financial services industry, according to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ 2012 Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse. And it observes that the FDIC has adopted a final rule prohibiting certain “bad actors” from buying failed banks.
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Avoid these common holding-company reporting errors
Summer 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 538
Abstract: Small bank holding companies are required to file semiannual FR Y-9SP reports with the Federal Reserve Board (FRB). The FRB uses information in these reports to monitor and analyze a holding company’s financial condition, spot potential financial trends or problems and review merger and acquisition applications. However, in a recent paper, FRB staff outlined common errors made on holding companies’ FR Y-9SP reports. This article looks at some of the errors involving call reports and structure reports, along with other errors.
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Weighing in on your borrowers’ working capital levels
Summer 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 607
Abstract: An ample amount of working capital allows assets to be converted to cash quickly, enabling borrowers to cover current obligations. But too much cash tied up in working capital can prevent borrowers from positive courses of action that will help grow the business, such as expanding to new markets or investing in equipment. This article discusses collections, inventory and accounts payable as they pertain to working capital management.
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Is your bank on top of cybersecurity? 2 severe threats loom over financial institutions
Summer 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 862
Abstract: Increasing use of online and mobile banking technologies has made banks and their customers more vulnerable to cyberattacks than ever before. Most recently, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council outlined the steps banks should take to address two severe threats: 1) distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and 2) cyberattacks on ATM and card authorization systems. This article takes a look at these threats, and a sidebar examines the appropriate level of disclosure to shareholders regarding cybersecurity risks and incidents.
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BANK Wire – Watch out for UDAAP
Spring 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 419
Abstract: This issue’s “BANK Wire” lists several Dodd-Frank Act unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices (UDAAP) provisions that community banks should be aware of. It also describes recent FDIC/OCC guidance on deposit advances and looks at the heightened demand for mobile banking.
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A case in point – Measure your borrowers’ performance
Spring 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 619
Abstract: Benchmarking is an insightful analytical tool. It involves comparisons between a company’s performance and industry norms or best practices. But not all borrowers engage in the benchmarking process, because they’re too bogged down with daily operations or unfamiliar with resources. Lenders can add value and protect themselves from financial distress by introducing borrowers to the process. This article offers a hypothetical example of how a lender can aid a borrower, and lists a variety of resources that offer benchmarking data.
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The small business reporting framework and your customers
Spring 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 629
Abstract: The AICPA’s new Financial Reporting Framework for Small- and Medium-Sized Entities (FRF for SMEs) has the potential to benefit borrowers and lenders alike. But it’s important for lenders to analyze clients on a case-by-case basis to see whether it’s appropriate to accept financial statements prepared in accordance with the FRF for SMEs. This article looks at what constitutes a “SME” and how the new framework can allow them to improve their financial reporting without incurring the trouble and expense of using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
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Judging, and stepping up, branch performance
Spring 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 875
Abstract: Shutting down underperforming branches can be an effective cost-cutting strategy. But it can be difficult, or impossible, to reopen a branch, so it’s important to first conduct a thorough analysis to gain an accurate picture of its performance and its contribution to the bank’s overall profitability and growth — and to identify opportunities that can enhance the branch’s value. This article discusses how to choose the right metrics and use them in the context of local markets. A sidebar explains why it’s important to have a funds transfer pricing program.
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BANK Wire – Take an interest in interest rate risk
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 407
Abstract: This issue’s “BANK Wire” takes a look at a recent Financial Institution Letter in which the FDIC signaled a heightened interest in banks’ interest rate risk management practices. BANK Wire also discusses a lawsuit in which the plaintiff — having declined to implement its bank’s suggested security controls — sued the bank after suffering a fraud loss. It also notes that, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act notwithstanding, regulatory agencies have now declared it generally acceptable to report suspected elder financial abuse to the appropriate authorities.
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An e-sign of things to come – Are you ready for electronic signatures?
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 589
Abstract: As the world continues its journey to going paperless, an increasing number of banks are adopting electronic signature technology for new account openings, loans, disclosures and other transactions. This article discusses the advantages, along with the legal requirements, and offers a number of best practices to ensure that electronic signatures hold up in court.
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Psst … Is your client headed for divorce?
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 638
Abstract: Lenders should beware of borrowers who are headed for divorce court — if a couple co-owns a company, it might place the loan at risk. This article discusses some issues to consider: How much of the private business interest should be included in the marital estate? What about goodwill — and alimony and child support? And who’s going to run the business after the divorce?
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Lessons from thriving banks: It’s a real-world stress test
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 866
Abstract: A recent report by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis analyzes distinguishing features of banks that thrived during the recession. The authors concluded that community banks can prosper in the future by maintaining strong risk management standards in all economic environments and tailoring their business plans to their markets. This article looks at the highlights of the report, while a sidebar lists key performance indicators that it looked at.