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Maybe the U.S. economy has improved to the point where further quantitative easing isn’t as critical to the Federal Reserve’s policy of “accommodation.” It certainly looks like the Fed has some further work to do on the portion of its mandate that relates to price stability, given the overshoot of its inflation goals. Fed Chairman …
Fed Taper Tactics: A review of past QE wind-down strategies. Read More »
What is a Superhero Community Banker? Two years ago, I came to Chris with an idea I wanted to write a book about. I wanted to write a book on strategy for community banks based on Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. Graciously, he didn’t laugh me out of the office. As most crazy …
If there is anything we need more of in banking…it’s more risk, right?! Well, like it or not…agree with it or not…there’s a new risk coming down the road towards banks. The good news, however, is that more than likely you are already doing it. Like a good bit of CRA, you are probably doing …
Last night, my family and I celebrated my dad’s retirement after 47 years at the same bank. As most of you probably know, I grew up in a banking family. Banking and guitar. Dinnertime conversations were riveting, I assure you! There’s a gold star for Mom for enduring those conversations! For those of you that …
Did you know…? In doing some research around community banks, NSF fees, and the probable regulations that are coming down from Washington around those, I realized that banks’ performance is heavily addicted to Non-Interest Income. Big time. Over the past 5 years, regardless of bank size (and really as far back as the FDIC database …
Might as well face it, you’re addicted to…non-interest income! Read More »
If there’s a constant in the world of a community bank investment manager, it’s disappointment. If you buy a bond today and yields go down tomorrow, you wish you’d have bought more; if yields go up, you wish you had bought none. If your overall portfolio has unrealized gains, you lament the poor yields that …
Portfolios morph: Investment securities have undergone big changes this year. Read More »
Application period for community bank-focused fintech solutions now open Washington, D.C. (Aug. 19, 2021) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and The Venture Center, with support from the State of Arkansas, today launched the application period for the 2022 ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program. The 2022 program builds on three consecutive successful programs solving for …
ICBA, The Venture Center Gear Up for 2022 ThinkTECH Accelerator Read More »
And now for something completely different. Except it’s not; it just hasn’t been around for a number of years. But it most assuredly has an impact on your community bank’s bond portfolio and on the securities you’ll be thinking about purchasing the next time you’re in the market. I’m speaking once again about the ever-popular …
Slippery slope: Another yield curve shift has community bankers guessing. Read More »
I have some good news for community bank portfolio managers who have grown weary of some or all of the following conditions that have persisted since 2020: declining portfolio returns erratic cash flows call option exposure paltry yield spreads Chances are, your bank’s portfolio has been affected by at least some of these conditions over …
Munis for the Many: Taxable municipal bonds have appeal for nearly all community banks. Read More »
Greetings Grad Program participants: As referenced in previous emails, there will be required prerequisite virtual courses you all will need to complete before attending this year. We would hope you can work out your schedule to be there live, where you can take part in Q & A. If you are in your 1st …
Barret Graduate Session Update-Important information Read More »
Barret School of Banking • 650 East Parkway South, Memphis, TN 38104
Phone: (901) 321-4000 • barret@barretbanking.org