Banking

Showing 97–112 of 596 results

  • Bank Wire

    Spring 2020
    Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 416

    Abstract: This brief summary of recent developments in community banking points out that the OCC and FDIC recently issued an interagency statement on heightened cybersecurity risks that reminds banks to implement and maintain effective preventive controls. It also discusses a recent OCC report warning that compliance risk related to Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering activities remained high last year. Finally, the article notes that a recent case illustrates the importance of carefully following the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

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  • Breaking up is hard to do – Protect bank interests after a divorce

    Spring 2020
    Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 662

    Abstract: If a borrower’s business is co-owned by two married partners, will the business fall apart if the marriage does? This article looks at some factors community banks should be aware of if their loans are at risk due to divorce. The article explains how divorce could affect the ownership and operation of a small business. It points out that, if banks and their lenders stay on top of potential problems, they’ll likely be able to help borrowers navigate these difficult waters and come out relatively unscathed, protecting their loans in the process.

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  • Artificial intelligence may be the future of community banking

    Spring 2020
    Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 689

    Abstract: Recent technological developments — such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotic process automation (RPA) and machine learning — are rapidly changing the way we do business. And an increasing number of community banks are now recognizing their value. This article discusses the potential uses of such technologies, including automating the account opening process, changing addresses and other information, and improving fraud protection. It notes that community banks should monitor these new technologies and consider how they might improve their businesses — either now, or down the road.

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  • Should you be stress testing your borrowers?

    Spring 2020
    Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 831

    Abstract: Most banks are familiar with the concept of stress testing: By evaluating the impact of adverse external events on a bank’s earnings, capital adequacy and other financial measures, stress testing can be a highly effective risk management tool. And while community banks generally aren’t required to conduct stress testing, banking regulators view it as a best practice. This article discusses the ins and outs of stress testing. A sidebar explains Canada’s mortgage stress-testing law.

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  • Proactive lenders ask borrowers about cash flow practices

    February / March 2020
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 413

    Abstract: Cash flow is the lifeblood of a small business. This article suggests some questions to ask when evaluating a prospective borrower’s cash flow management, such as whether customers are paying on time and whether the borrower is taking advantage of its credit terms. The article notes that cash flow statements can help lenders understand the overall health of their borrowers’ businesses — particularly whether the borrowers are able to generate and hold cash.

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  • What should you do when your borrower becomes ill?

    February / March 2020
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 612

    Abstract: Dealing with a borrower who has become ill or injured creates unique challenges for a lending relationship. Creating trust and ensuring good communication will become even more important if the borrower is a sole owner who, through some unforeseen event, such as illness, becomes unable to meet the payment terms of a loan. This article offers some strategies for lenders when a loan becomes endangered by borrower illness, including keeping communication channels open and suggesting a temporary surrogate to take over until the borrower is able to reassume management of the company.

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  • Don’t lose the online fight: Build a winning strategy

    February / March 2020
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 689

    Abstract: Online lenders offer potential borrowers speed, efficiency and convenience. To compete, traditional lenders need to up their digital game, while continuing to emphasize the benefits only they can provide. This article provides some tips on how lenders can build a successful strategy, including deepening and nurturing personal relationships with borrowers and taking steps to streamline the lending process. It points out that lenders need to adapt to the changing lending market to ensure they remain competitive.

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  • Weathering the storm – How to help borrowers survive a downturn

    February / March 2020
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 813

    Abstract: No one can predict with certainty when a recession will happen. By the time it does, it’s often too late for lenders to adopt a proactive approach to help the business weather the storm. This article shows how lenders can help borrowers survive and maintain profitability over the long term regardless of the vagaries of the economy. Conserving cash, maintaining customer connections and improving employee support are just a few of the strategies lenders can suggest to borrowers. A sidebar offers six questions lenders can ask to gauge a borrower’s management experience during an economic downturn.

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  • Bank Wire

    Winter 2020
    Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 487

    Abstract: This summary of recent developments in banking looks at the implications for banks of a statement issued in July 2019 by the federal banking agencies: Joint Statement on Risk-Focused Bank Secrecy Act / Anti-Money Laundering Supervision. It also points out that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) recently finalized its community bank leverage ratio framework and discusses the framework’s requirements for community banks. In addition, the article explains the importance of avoiding potential director liability in connection with individual loan approvals and notes some recent FASB-approved CECL and lease accounting delays.

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  • Does your website comply with Truth-in-Lending regulations?

    Winter 2020
    Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 628

    Abstract: A bank’s website may serve a variety of purposes, but ultimately it’s a form of advertising. That means that any descriptions of a bank’s loans, credit cards and other lending products on the site must comply with the Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z. This article points out that, over the past few years, regulators and potential litigants have been scrutinizing banks’ websites to identify potential compliance violations. The article notes that it’s a good idea for bankers to review their websites and correct any problems before they become the subject of an examination or lawsuit.

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  • Dig deeper to avoid fraudulent financial restatements

    Winter 2020
    Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 612

    Abstract: To ensure that corrections aren’t covering up fraudulent activity, it’s important for community bank lenders to take a second look when their borrowers present them with financial restatements. While a careless mistake isn’t necessarily unethical, this article uses a hypothetical example to illustrate how bad accounting can easily slide into fraud — whether intentional or unintentional. It suggests that lenders need to carefully evaluate borrowers’ financial restatements so that their banks can head off potential bad loans before they happen.

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  • LIBOR no more: How to prepare for the rate’s expected demise

    Winter 2020
    Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 908

    Abstract: For decades, financial institutions around the world have used the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) as a reference interest rate for loans and other financial instruments. But over the last several years, the marketplace has lost confidence in LIBOR for several reasons. This article explains that LIBOR will likely be discontinued after 2021 and that a global effort is currently underway to identify alternative reference rates. It notes the importance of working with the bank’s advisors to identify an appropriate reference rate for the bank — drafting fallback language that reflects the bank’s particular circumstances.

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  • The best-laid plans – Helping borrowers prepare for the worst-case scenario

    Year End 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 446

    Abstract: When the owner of a small business dies or becomes disabled, the business’s lending institution may decide to foreclose, which may be the most appropriate choice — especially if the owner was the only employee. But for a small business with more than one employee, there may be other options. This article lists some questions that can help a borrower prepare for this eventuality and ensure the best outcome for both the business and the lender.

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  • Can the cash conversion cycle help determine liquidity?

    Year End 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 609

    Abstract: A key factor when assessing whether a borrower will be able to make timely repayments of a loan is liquidity. There are several metrics lenders can use in this analysis, including the current or quick ratio. But this article focuses on the cash conversion cycle (CCC) metric. Using several hypothetical examples, it defines the CCC and explains how it works. The article points out that the CCC, as well as other liquidity metrics, can help lenders stay up to speed on ways to assess the risks — and rewards — their borrowers present.

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  • Put benchmarking in your borrowers’ toolbox

    Year End 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 638

    Abstract: Benchmarking is a powerful analytical tool that compares a company’s performance with industry norms and best practices. By advocating for regular benchmarking studies, lenders can help borrowers gain a competitive advantage and remedy shortcomings. This article offers some hypothetical examples to illustrate how benchmarking can be useful to business owners and notes the importance of seeking data sorted by industry, size and geographic location, if possible.

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  • 7 ways to avoid lending to an ineffective business owner

    Year End 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 808

    Abstract: It’s important for a lender to be able to determine, before funding a loan, whether a prospective borrower’s presentation matches reality. This article suggests some steps lenders can take to determine whether business owners are likely to be successful, including evaluating their business history, examining trends in career history and ascertaining what strategies they use to stay up to date on the latest market developments. A sidebar offers questions that will help lenders obtain pertinent information about the viability of a borrower’s business going forward.

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