Banking
Showing 1–16 of 556 results
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4 ways to support funding the hybrid workplace
August / September 2021
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 440
Abstract: Businesses continue to embrace hybrid working practices that allow employees to work from home part-time — or full-time. While some businesses expect employees to incur the setup costs for their work-from-home (WFH) environment, others pay a stipend, reimburse employees or foot the entire bill up front. Some companies may turn to their banks to help fund WFH expenses. This article highlights four steps a borrower will need to take to ensure such a loan will be viable.
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Growth isn’t always good – Potential downsides of out-of-control growth
August / September 2021
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 674
Abstract: As the economy begins to recover from the difficult economic circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s tempting to assume that for businesses, all growth is good. But this isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, if borrowers are growing by leaps and bounds, lenders might want to look into that rapid growth further to make sure it’s based on a sustainable business model.
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Stay on top of collateral value
August / September 2021
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 643
Abstract: Lenders need to stay on top of the value of assets their borrowers pledge as collateral. This article explains that because asset values rise and fall depending on many factors and the required standard of value also may differ according to the circumstances, periodic formal asset appraisals are a good idea.
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Lending to a business on the wrong side of the COVID-19 economy
August / September 2021
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 807
Abstract: As the economy has reopened, some businesses that prospered during the lockdown have experienced a significant decrease in revenue through no fault of their own. To continue operating as going concerns, some of these businesses might need access to debt to redouble their efforts to capitalize on the market created by COVID-19 — or to reinvent the business in the face of declining revenues. This article offers some questions lenders should ask these borrowers to mitigate the risk of lending to them beyond the end of the pandemic.
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Bank Wire – Fed provides LIBOR transition guidance
Summer 2021
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 459
Abstract: This brief summary of current developments in community banking discusses LIBOR transition guidance that the Federal Reserve recently issued and notes the reintroduction of the SAFE Banking Act in Congress. It also explains that the federal banking agencies are seeking information about how financial institutions are using artificial intelligence in their activities. Finally, it lists some consumer protection recommendations put out by the CFPB’s Taskforce on Federal Consumer Financial Law.
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Has COVID-19 hurt your Community Reinvestment Act rating?
Summer 2021
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 601
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on community banks and their customers, but one area that is often overlooked is the potential impact on a bank’s Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) rating. This article notes that to mitigate the risk of receiving a poor CRA rating, a bank should identify and document the various factors — both bank-specific and community-specific — that influence its lending ability.
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The pros and cons of asset concentration
Summer 2021
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 641
Abstract: The purpose of community banks is to serve their particular communities and the industries that fuel those local economies. This can lead to potential risk, including losses, if assets become concentrated in an industry that is struggling. This article points out that there are pros and cons to asset concentration — the key is to understand how to keep the right balance.
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Time to revisit your AML program
Summer 2021
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 879
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted anti-money laundering (AML) compliance in many ways. It has increased risks, changed the behavior of bank customers, and accelerated implementation of online account opening and other technologies. This article suggests that in light of these changes, all banks should evaluate their AML programs, starting with a risk assessment. A sidebar looks at the Biden administration’s increased prioritization of compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020.
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Assess the risk – Lending to small businesses with overseas government customers
June / July 2021
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 437
Abstract: Governments around the globe often buy goods and services from large businesses. But small- and medium-sized (SME) businesses earn a share of those expenditures as well. Is an SME that has foreign governments as customers a solid credit risk? This article suggests ways to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of lending to businesses that conduct business overseas with foreign governments.
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Crooked schemes – Watch out for real estate fraud
June / July 2021
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 727
Abstract: In a volatile and uncertain economy, unscrupulous real estate investors and other real estate-related borrowers might seek opportunities to fraudulently benefit from real estate transactions and loans. Lenders need to be on guard against any possible attempts to defraud them or their institutions. This article lists six real estate fraud schemes that lenders should know about as well as some red flags associated with fraudulent loan applications.
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Helping succession plans succeed
June / July 2021
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 725
Abstract: When ownership of a family business changes, the business may struggle under the new owners until they find their footing. This article explains that a lender needs to evaluate the situation to determine whether the company has the capacity to remain financially healthy and keep the loan solvent. It notes that family business borrowers should have well-developed succession plans and other strategies to help prepare their businesses for any eventuality.
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When demand exceeds supply: What’s the lender’s role?
June / July 2021
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 836
Abstract: When demand exceeds supply, trying to meet that demand can put a business under tremendous strain. This article explains when it might make sense to lend to a company with a significant backlog of orders that it currently lacks the capacity to fulfill. It offers tips to help a lender evaluate pent-up product or service demand and how it relates to a company’s creditworthiness. A sidebar highlights four warning signs that may indicate expansion to meet demand isn’t in a company’s best interests.
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Should you lend to an entrepreneur whose former business failed?
April / May 2021
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 437
Abstract: The economic downturn resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many formerly profitable businesses to fail. Despite this, their owners may feel they want to get back into business again. This article offers four questions to ask a prospective borrower reentering the business world after a COVID-19-related business failure to help lenders evaluate whether the loan will be viable.
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Accounting estimates: Be aware of management blind spots
April / May 2021
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 533
Abstract: A company’s management may make every effort to remain impartial and objective when making estimates for its financial statements. But errors of judgment are still possible. This article explains that it’s important for lenders to stay vigilant and ensure that the financial statements they receive from their borrowers are accurate and well founded. It notes that sorting through the layers of objective data and subjective assumptions until the full picture is clear will help lenders make well-informed decisions about their borrowers going forward.
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How to help your borrowers roll out a roll-up
April / May 2021
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 565
Abstract: In these uncertain times, small businesses are seeking options that might give them a competitive advantage or keep them afloat. For some businesses, a roll-up is a viable solution. In a roll-up, a business acquires or merges with other similar businesses to increase efficiency and market share. This article points out that though roll-ups can sometimes be advantageous, lenders should help borrowers understand the ins and outs before they take such a momentous step.
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The debt generation – Lending to professionals on the path to partnership
April / May 2021
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 902
Abstract: Many professionals are burdened with considerable student debt. Outstanding school loans can limit an individual’s ability to borrow additional funds for decades, and some professionals might find their paths to partnership blocked due to their inability to borrow their initial capital contribution (or “buy-in”). This article looks at how lenders should assess requests for such loans and suggests several steps they can take to ensure the loans are based on sound information.