An End to Loan Winter

As the economy improves experts are expecting loan demand to increase in 2014. This welcome news should mean better income for the region’s banks. [Continue]

Straight Talk – Mortgages for the Self-Employed

I have long been an advocate of the small shop economy, a business sector that is growing as more people explore alternative career tracks. Self-employed folks still make up a relatively small portion of the total workforce, but their numbers are growing as overall labor participation rates decline. What a poor time to introduce new … Read more

Indiana bank names officers

Ameriana Bancorp of New Castle, Ind., has named several new officers after its current chief risk officer
announced his retirement earlier this month. [Continue]

Iowa bank launches new CD product

Treynor State Bank, Treynor, Iowa, and Bank Performance Strategies, Omaha, Neb., have launched a new certificate of deposit product geared toward investor-type clients. [Continue]

Michigan banks, holding companies to merge

First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc., and Alpena Banking Corporation, both of Alpena, Mich., have announced the merger of the two companies and their subsidiary community banking institutions. [Continue]