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“As you get older, three things happen: the memory goes, and I forget the other two”—Erma Bombeck Being one who can empathize with the late, great humorist Ms. Bombeck, I thought it might be interesting to discuss a segment of the fixed income universe that has served community banking well over the decades. It’s …
Remember the Munis: Don’t go to sleep on a profitable bond sector Read More »
High baseline yields accompany surprisingly wide spreads If your responsibilities include your community bank’s bond portfolio, you’ve been confounded by several elements of its performance in the last 18 months. To the extent your portfolio has mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and government agency bonds, and the clear majority of all bonds owned by banks are …
Buyers of U.S. debt come in many shapes and sizes. I think we can all agree that there has been plenty to be concerned about in the last, say, five years. Some are environmental issues, some are social and, for community bankers, plenty are economic. What gets a lot of play in the business …
Current bond yields have long-term appeal I will be candid with you. Your correspondent is most assuredly not a professional journalist. And, being an accountant by trade, creativity isn’t something that comes naturally. Therefore, when composing these investment columns I often rely on some techniques I’ve learned from listening to the professionals. Among these …
Hybrid ARMs give an investor both features What’s your choice for the term of the decade so far (that is, other than COVID)? In the last three years, a number of expressions have come into fashion, some of which have been worn out, used out of context and deemed by linguists to be a …
Some suggestions on how to wrap up 2022 The word “rally” can be used for a number of purposes and in different contexts. For instance, it could mean a long-distance auto race over varying surfaces and involving stages and checkpoints. It could mean a gathering of supporters to generate enthusiasm and momentum for an …
Availability of discount bonds causes a rethink of strategies I’ve learned a few things about human nature as it relates to bond portfolio management over the years. Some of these notions or biases in the minds of investors are more logical than others. For example, it seems community bankers take some pride in …
Up with People, which readers of a certain age may remember, was an organization that had a run of popularity in the 1970s and ‘80s by promoting wholesome values and positive thinking. Its delivery channel was through song and dance performances, often in large arenas and stadiums. Up with People provided the halftime entertainment for …
Up with Coupons: Larger interest payments can build a floor under your bond prices Read More »
The Great Escape: The bond market braces for the Fed’s wind-down of its balance sheet. If bond investors (you) were running low on things to worry about for the rest of the year, I’ve got some terrific news: The $9 trillion portfolio owned by our central bank will begin to shrink. Soon. And at …
The Great Escape: The bond market braces for the Fed’s wind-down of its balance sheet. Read More »
Low yield spreads send community banks back to the basics I’ll let you in on a secret: sometimes your columnist runs out of new ideas to cover. A dearth of new products, no new regs, a stable rate environment—All of these can cause a writer to run aground while sailing the financial seas in …
Barret School of Banking • 650 East Parkway South, Memphis, TN 38104
Phone: (901) 321-4000 • barret@barretbanking.org