The consensus of 16 chief economists from among the largest North American banks is that the economy will see inflation-adjusted GDP growth accelerating to 2.8 percent this year – the strongest pace since 2005. [Continue]
The number of bank merger and acquisition transactions has declined each of the last four years across the country, and particularly throughout the Upper Midwest, and that trend is expected to continue. [Continue]
I believe in mentoring. It changes people’s lives. You want to make a difference? You want to impact someone’s life? You want to leave a legacy? Mentor someone. [Continue]
Denise Mainquist, founder and managing director of ITPAC Consulting, LLC. Based in Lincoln, Neb., Mainquist helps guide banks and other businesses through cyber risk assessments and defense strategies. [Continue]
A bill signed into law by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds earlier this month contains a provision on credit union naming that presents a win for the state’s banks, according to the Iowa Bankers Association. [Continue]
Curt Covington is executive vice president of agricultural finance at Farmer Mac. We recently asked Covington to update readers on how Farmer Mac’s secondary market products can augment a community bank’s rural finance initiatives. [Continue]
At any given time, one-fifth of banking customers are researching where to buy their next product or service, and 42 percent of those who left one institution did so because they received an offer or took notice of an advertisement from a different financial institution. [Continue]
Leadership at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is likely to become a hot political topic again. Mick Mulvaney was appointed to lead the CFPB as by President Donald Trump last November after the previous leader, Richard Cordray, resigned to run for Governor of Ohio. Cordray resigned before the end of his statutory term, however, and President Trump appointed Mulvaney as “acting director” until a permanent director could be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. That temporary appointment ends June 22. [Continue]
The mergers and acquisitions market dominates many conversations in the financial industry. With that in mind, BankBeat impaneled seven M&A industry insiders to discuss current trends, strategies and overall advice. [Continue]
Lawsuits related to alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act are on the rise and a number of banks have been targeted for inadvertent, technical violations of this federal law. The ADA lawsuits relate to bank websites and mobile apps that are inaccessible to visually impaired consumers. If your website and mobile apps have not been made accessible for purposes of the ADA, your bank is vulnerable. [Continue]