Banking
Showing 337–352 of 600 results
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Back to Basics – FAQs about the Red Flags Rule
April / May 2014
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 434
Abstract: Nine million Americans will have their identities stolen this year, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). But the FTC’s Red Flags Rule aims to reduce the risk of identity theft. Some commercial lenders mistakenly presume the rule doesn’t apply unless they make personal loans. But it actually does apply to many small business lenders — and their business borrowers. This article answers a few FAQs about the rule, including who’s required to follow it and how to comply.
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Balance sheets tell only part of the story
April / May 2014
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 627
Abstract: A balance sheet presents the company’s financial position at a given moment in time. But the amounts shown on the balance sheet often don’t reflect current market values — and many valuable items are even omitted. This article discusses what a borrower’s balance sheet isn’t telling, as well as some diligence procedures that financial advisors use to evaluate potential risks and return.
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What kind of financial statements should a borrower provide? Levels of assurance: Compilations, reviews and audits
April / May 2014
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 642
Abstract: Financial statements help lenders evaluate an organization’s performance and determine its ability to repay debt. But all financial statements aren’t subject to equal levels of analytical procedures, inquiry or testing by an outside accounting professional. In order of increasing level of rigor, CPAs offer three types of financial statements: compilations, reviews and audits. This article discusses what each can and can’t do and which one is appropriate for a given type of borrower.
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Small businesses, big concerns
April / May 2014
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 863
Abstract: Last year, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) identified the top five concerns of borrowers, including health care and energy costs and uncertainty over economic conditions. What differentiates strong borrowers from questionable ones is that they acknowledge key risks and take steps to prevent or mitigate their adverse effects. This article describes some of those steps, while a sidebar notes that the survey’s next five concerns are tax-related.
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BANK Wire – Watch out for UDAAP
Spring 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 419
Abstract: This issue’s “BANK Wire” lists several Dodd-Frank Act unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices (UDAAP) provisions that community banks should be aware of. It also describes recent FDIC/OCC guidance on deposit advances and looks at the heightened demand for mobile banking.
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A case in point – Measure your borrowers’ performance
Spring 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 619
Abstract: Benchmarking is an insightful analytical tool. It involves comparisons between a company’s performance and industry norms or best practices. But not all borrowers engage in the benchmarking process, because they’re too bogged down with daily operations or unfamiliar with resources. Lenders can add value and protect themselves from financial distress by introducing borrowers to the process. This article offers a hypothetical example of how a lender can aid a borrower, and lists a variety of resources that offer benchmarking data.
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The small business reporting framework and your customers
Spring 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 629
Abstract: The AICPA’s new Financial Reporting Framework for Small- and Medium-Sized Entities (FRF for SMEs) has the potential to benefit borrowers and lenders alike. But it’s important for lenders to analyze clients on a case-by-case basis to see whether it’s appropriate to accept financial statements prepared in accordance with the FRF for SMEs. This article looks at what constitutes a “SME” and how the new framework can allow them to improve their financial reporting without incurring the trouble and expense of using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
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Judging, and stepping up, branch performance
Spring 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 875
Abstract: Shutting down underperforming branches can be an effective cost-cutting strategy. But it can be difficult, or impossible, to reopen a branch, so it’s important to first conduct a thorough analysis to gain an accurate picture of its performance and its contribution to the bank’s overall profitability and growth — and to identify opportunities that can enhance the branch’s value. This article discusses how to choose the right metrics and use them in the context of local markets. A sidebar explains why it’s important to have a funds transfer pricing program.
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Back to Basics – Beware of M&A rules of thumb
February / March 2014
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 433
Abstract: Lenders often finance mergers and acquisitions, and sometimes after the buyer and seller have agreed on the selling price and terms. But it’s important to always inquire about the due diligence that a buyer has performed. Too often, the parties are eager to close, so they sidestep the formal valuation process. Instead, they may rely on industry rules of thumb to negotiate price. This article describes how such rules can be oversimplified, ambiguous or outdated.
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What tone does management set? Ethics starts at the top of the organizational chart
February / March 2014
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 506
Abstract: Unethical behavior at the top of any organization — commonly referred to as the “tone at the top” — is among the factors that lead to fraud. That’s because attitudes about ethics flow down the organizational chart. This article lists types of misconduct that can destroy an organization and explains how to identify best practices.
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Looking at financials differently
February / March 2014
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 694
Abstract: A lender conducting due diligence who only reviews past financial statements is not seeing the full road ahead — and that road might be littered with hazards. This article explains that an inquiry should start with a risk assessment involving the industry, economic conditions, sources of collateral and business operations. It then involves using certain key metrics to evaluate the financial statements. A sidebar notes that a profitability analysis should extend beyond the top and bottom of the income statement to certain individual line items.
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10 facts borrowers should know about health care reform
February / March 2014
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 903
Abstract: The cost of health insurance is the biggest concern small businesses face, according to a recent study. Part of the problem is that few businesses fully understand how the Affordable Care Act works. This article offers 10 useful facts that can be passed along to borrowers. It describes which types of employers may have particular obligations, along with tax credits that some companies can apply for.
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BANK Wire – Take an interest in interest rate risk
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 407
Abstract: This issue’s “BANK Wire” takes a look at a recent Financial Institution Letter in which the FDIC signaled a heightened interest in banks’ interest rate risk management practices. BANK Wire also discusses a lawsuit in which the plaintiff — having declined to implement its bank’s suggested security controls — sued the bank after suffering a fraud loss. It also notes that, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act notwithstanding, regulatory agencies have now declared it generally acceptable to report suspected elder financial abuse to the appropriate authorities.
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An e-sign of things to come – Are you ready for electronic signatures?
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 589
Abstract: As the world continues its journey to going paperless, an increasing number of banks are adopting electronic signature technology for new account openings, loans, disclosures and other transactions. This article discusses the advantages, along with the legal requirements, and offers a number of best practices to ensure that electronic signatures hold up in court.
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Psst … Is your client headed for divorce?
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 638
Abstract: Lenders should beware of borrowers who are headed for divorce court — if a couple co-owns a company, it might place the loan at risk. This article discusses some issues to consider: How much of the private business interest should be included in the marital estate? What about goodwill — and alimony and child support? And who’s going to run the business after the divorce?
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Lessons from thriving banks: It’s a real-world stress test
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 866
Abstract: A recent report by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis analyzes distinguishing features of banks that thrived during the recession. The authors concluded that community banks can prosper in the future by maintaining strong risk management standards in all economic environments and tailoring their business plans to their markets. This article looks at the highlights of the report, while a sidebar lists key performance indicators that it looked at.