Items include
- 1 Webinars
- 230 BID Newsletters
lending
Webinars
Jul 13, 2017
Community banks with total assets over $100mm and in good regulatory standing.
Dec 24, 2024
Following tradition, we're taking a look back at your favorite articles from this year as we BID adieu to 2024. This August article explores trends in CRE. Risk within CRE lending portfolios may be higher than the banking industry realizes. We discuss rising sources of risk and how stress testing can help CFIs proactively identify trouble spots.
Dec 17, 2024
We interviewed PCBB President Mike Dohren about the key trends he anticipates affecting CFIs in 2025, including regulatory changes, mergers and acquisitions, lending trends, and technology.
Dec 11, 2024
Seasonal winter businesses have unique risks. We discuss CFIs’ opportunities to support them with personalized advice and tailored banking services.
Nov 21, 2024
The agricultural community is feeling the pinch of lower commodity costs and many farmers lack adequate capital to continue operating without borrowing. We discuss the trend and the impact on CFIs.
Nov 6, 2024
CFIs have a unique opportunity to diversify their portfolios and manage risk by participating in shared national credits, also known as syndicated loans. Learn about the key advantages CFIs can gain.
Oct 31, 2024
SMB lending fraud is on the rise. We discuss recent survey results on trends and provide steps CFIs can take to help keep this type of fraud in check.
Oct 24, 2024
While asset quality is strong, rising charge-offs in CRE and credit cards suggest it’s time for CFIs to revisit risk management strategies. We discuss the trend and responses to consider.
Sep 11, 2024
Driven by digitalization, the lending landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. We summarize the Digital Banking Report 2024 on the state of digital lending and explore strategies to bolster it.
Sep 4, 2024
A survey of senior credit risk executives revealed generative AI will impact 80% of credit risk assessments within two years. We discuss how generative AI can help CFIs manage credit risk.
Feb 3, 2020
Today we answer your questions on fraud detection, branch traffic and CRE lending.
Aug 27, 2024
Top CFI lenders actively help their small business customers and borrowers navigate headwinds. We explore successful lending strategies from several CFIs and highlight the importance of giving business customers advice.
Aug 26, 2024
As traditional lenders scale back lending to small- and medium-sized businesses, private credit is facing a boon of activity. We discuss why some large banks are investing in private credit.
Aug 21, 2024
Risk within CRE lending portfolios may be higher than the banking industry realizes. We discuss rising sources of risk and how stress testing can help CFIs proactively identify trouble spots.
Aug 1, 2024
Small businesses are struggling to access capital, despite strong demand. The SBA just launched the Working Capital Pilot Program, in the hopes of bridging the gap.
Jul 24, 2024
As concerns about the CRE market continue, many CFIs are reevaluating their CRE lending portfolios. Could lending to CRE clients in the life sciences market be a rewarding niche opportunity?
May 16, 2024
The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act is doling out $27B for energy efficiency projects. Disadvantaged communities in your bank’s footprint could be in line for an infusion of capital. We discuss what the impact could be on you and your business customers.
Jun 10, 2024
As we approach the second half of 2024, the agricultural industry remains under pressure from mixed economic and demand headwinds. Despite these challenges, farmers are expressing more interest in agricultural loans to grow their available funds. CFIs should prepare to meet this increasing demand.
Apr 22, 2024
In response to inflation, higher interest rates, regulatory capital increases and declining demand, some banks have pulled back on lending for equipment leasing and financing. That’s created opportunities in equipment finance and leasing for interested CFIs.
Apr 8, 2024
The commercial real estate sector experienced significant headwinds during 2023. Fortunately, early signs suggest a more stable, and in some cases positive, market in 2024. We review the outlook for the industry and suggest ways in which CFIs can manage risk and continue to support their CRE customers.
Apr 3, 2024
Why is now a beneficial time to consider a loan participation? Peter Dewes, PCBB’s Senior Vice President and Senior Lending Officer, shares his insights for community financial institutions to consider.
Dec 15, 2021
We have been talking about the transition away from LIBOR for a few years now and the end date is upon us. No new LIBOR exposures are allowed after December 31, 2021. Many community financial institutions are making progress, but only 24% had set a replacement rate, as of this summer. Is your institution prepared for LIBOR’s end date? Here are a few recently released regulatory expectations, to keep you moving for a successful transition.
Mar 23, 2021
The transition from LIBOR to SOFR has been in the works for a while. But, now is the time to face it head-on. We give you six important steps to take right now to ensure you are compliant by the time LIBOR retires: organize your team, make a plan, communicate with stakeholders, assess exposures, remediate contracts, and set up operational readiness.
Jan 27, 2021
Since many community financial institutions have syndicated loans that are pegged to LIBOR, its discontinuation is especially important. Here are the next steps to take in the move from LIBOR to SOFR, including contract reviewing and using fallback language, for a seamless transition.
Jan 13, 2020
Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), the designated replacement for the LIBOR rate, faced its first test recently. We provide you with an update.
Sep 24, 2020
The LIBOR-SOFR transition is still happening. We have three steps to help you move forward.
Mar 27, 2024
Financial institutions dealt with economic uncertainty, higher interest rates, more expensive funding, lower loan demand, and concerns about credit quality in 2023. Yet they continued to grow loans overall. There are some indicators that the lending market could begin growing again. We discuss what factors would contribute to this change.
Mar 7, 2024
CFIs continue to dominate agricultural lending, but lending on the whole is down and unlikely to rebound in the immediate future. We discuss why CFIs should continue actively engaging with agricultural borrowers and what they should know about the trends facing this sector.
Mar 4, 2024
Compliance under Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act will likely pose the biggest burdens on the smallest institutions subject to the new rule. While there are still efforts to block it, the compliance deadline is quickly approaching. We delve into what you should know to start compliance efforts before the regulations take effect.
Feb 27, 2024
It’s not clear if or when the CRE market will return to pre-pandemic levels, but experts say there are steps that banks with significant exposure to the space can take to help mitigate losses. We suggest five ways to navigate the slump.
Feb 12, 2024
Due to an aging population, demand for senior housing is expected to grow. As occupancy rates rise and margins improve following a pandemic slump, investment in the sector should rebound. We consider the lending environment, the size of the opportunity, and what it takes for a CFI to succeed in this market.
Feb 5, 2024
Niche lending can be extremely lucrative — if executed correctly. We highlight some niche industries that are bringing success to other CFIs and provide guidance on how to identify unique, profitable niches in your area.
Jan 17, 2024
A CFI’s bond portfolio can face serious risk when interest rates rise. Duration hedging can help moderate that risk, but many financial institutions don’t use it. We review the most common duration hedging strategies to consider for interest rate risk mitigation.
Dec 4, 2023
Over the last few years, several large and regional banks have started offering small-dollar loans to their cash-strapped customers. Is a payday loan alternative something your CFI might consider?
Nov 29, 2023
A challenging economy hasn’t deterred startups, which continue to be formed at record rates. As CFIs seek to identify the most promising startups seeking lending, there a few key things they should be looking for.
Nov 6, 2023
More and more CFIs are partnering with fintechs to automate and improve their ag lending practices. We share details of how such partnerships are enhancing banking relationships with farmers and ranchers.
Nov 1, 2023
Business loan automation isn’t just convenient for customers — it’s beneficial to CFIs, too. From increasing efficiency to strengthening borrower and employee relationships, we review how adopting a digital loan application process can do so much more than just speed up the approval process.
Oct 16, 2023
Now is a good time for CFIs to compete for big loans. Doing so may require joining loan participations or syndications. We review the state of the corporate loan market and the differences between the two models.
Sep 18, 2023
Private equity firms are actively targeting the lending market for small and midsize businesses, and they have deep pockets to use in their pursuit. In order to remain competitive, CFIs must focus on and highlight their expertise in this area.
Sep 11, 2023
Responding to rising levels of CRE loans and recent bank failures, the FDIC has issued new guidance on risks. We review portfolio concentration red flags and risk factors.
Aug 31, 2023
As the banking industry has pulled back its lending activity, nonbanks, such as private equity firms, have moved in to fill the lending gap among large syndicated loans. We discuss what this could mean for CFIs and their participation in the syndicated loan market.
Aug 15, 2023
With many small businesses looking to improve their ESG credentials, CFIs have an opportunity to position themselves as a trusted sustainability partner by offering financing, tools and expertise. At the same time, they can boost their ability to attract and retain small business customers. We detail five ways CFIs can accomplish both goals.
Aug 8, 2023
CRE developers and lenders are seeing a stressed landscape for their business, as predictions of workers returning to offices haven’t been fully realized. A forward rate lock hedge can help both sides of the lending transaction by fixing a rate on future loans.
Aug 9, 2023
More and more CFIs are using alternative cash flow data to determine the creditworthiness of prospective small business borrowers. They are partnering with fintechs and other nonbank providers to access and analyze prospects’ electronic cash flow information. A nonprofit research organization analyzed these practices and we provide a summary of the results.
Aug 3, 2023
The CFPB has finalized a data collection rule for lenders that extend credit to small businesses. The regulations aim to find patterns in small business lending that enhance CRA initiatives and make lending practices more equitable. However, trade groups like the ICBA and the CUNA have concerns that the additional burdens of compliance could impede CFIs’ ability to make as many loans as they do. We explain what CFIs should be aware of as this issue unfolds.
Aug 2, 2023
Certain segments of commercial real estate are showing signs of stress, with certain office markets reporting vacancy rates at record highs. CFIs should pay close attention to trends and forecasts while preparing for action in case loan defaults rise. We discuss six strategies to help identify and address CRE loans at risk of default.
Jun 21, 2023
As CFIs seek to maintain active lending portfolios within an environment where they must deal with both rising interest rates and competition, risk-based pricing has become increasingly important, particularly for commercial lending. We discuss best practices for implementing risk-based loan pricing with commercial lenders at your CFI.
Jan 4, 2021
As we welcome in the new year, there are several regulatory areas to pay extra attention to. We cover COVID-19 flexibility, CECL implementation efforts, the LIBOR transition, CRA changes, and more.
Nov 29, 2017
CECL and life of loan may lead bankers to consider shortening loan duration. But, that may not always be the best strategy.
Apr 28, 2023
Warehouse development reached a new record in 2022. While 2023 is not expected to be as robust, it is still shaping up as another big year. We discuss why CFIs may want to capitalize on warehouse financing for loan growth.
Jun 19, 2019
It doesn't appear that environmental investing and initiatives are going away any time soon. We show some interesting ways banks are going green.
May 13, 2019
Forty percent of new entrepreneurs in the US are now women. Yet, they often don't apply for loans. Are there ways to help these business owners grow?
Jun 12, 2018
LIBOR is the largest floating rate index in the world and underpins an estimated $200T in financial instruments. Today, we look at how banks can leverage its increase.
May 3, 2018
Farmers are struggling these days with low market prices. Some advice to help you with your agricultural business customers.
Oct 27, 2021
CFOs at community financial institutions have their hands full now more than ever — low loan demand, an overflow of deposits, margin pressure, potential credit quality issues, and more. To give you some food for thought on how other institutions are handling these challenges, we share a few stories from your CFO peers.
Aug 11, 2021
Recently, several Fed speakers have indicated that rising inflation rates could lead to an increase in interest rates as early as late 2022. With the current economic uncertainty, how can community financial institutions prepare? We have four ways, including identifying opportunities in existing lending niches and adding more fee income.
Oct 13, 2021
The LIBOR transition is well underway. But, how are financial institutions doing in their progress, with the deadline of January 1, 2022, looming? Some institutions have made firm decisions on the replacement index, while others are considering multiple replacement rates. We explore the findings from a recent accounting firm survey to give you an idea of how you compare to your peers in the LIBOR transition.
Jun 15, 2020
The pandemic seems to have affected the adoption of SOFR. Will this delay the transition from LIBOR to SOFR?
Jun 5, 2020
Negative rates have been discussed lately, as recovery scenarios are laid out. Will negative interest rates happen in the US?
Feb 28, 2019
Banks will soon need to adjust their loans to a new benchmark known as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR). What is involved in this transition?
Aug 17, 2018
With a flat yield curve, certain tools can provide customers with the products they want while mitigating risk for the bank. We give you the skinny on some of these helpful tools.
Nov 18, 2021
Proptech is starting to grow. Property management technologies are being used to help compensate for the labor shortage, create efficiencies in the leasing process, and identify and keep profitable tenants. Community financial institutions want to keep their eyes on proptech developments. Here are the drivers, tenant perks, and property owner benefits.
Mar 2, 2023
CRA-regulated CFIs play a crucial role in supporting low- and moderate-income communities and small businesses. We discuss how institutions can ensure compliance with the Act, and how it is evolving to meet the needs of today’s world.
Jun 16, 2021
As of May 24, 2021, $279.4B in PPP loans has been forgiven. Now, loan forgiveness is coming from a different source — the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. We give you the details, including eligibility, when the FSA forgiveness program starts, how the ABA is involved, and key takeaways for community financial institutions.
Sep 22, 2021
The Paycheck Protection Program helped many businesses through the pandemic and community financial institutions played a key role in getting these funds to their customers. Now, with PPP forgiveness underway, what should CFIs expect from the audit process of these loans? We help to answer that question.
Dec 8, 2020
To facilitate CRA partnerships, community financial institutions may want to tap into the Fed's program, Investment Connection. We provide highlights of the program, its role at your institution, and key questions to ask potential community partners.
Nov 10, 2020
Your next regulatory exam will bring some pandemic-specific questions. We give you four tips to ensure you are ready.
Nov 9, 2020
Bank of America recently announced it was adding small-dollar loans to its offerings. Should you?
Apr 14, 2020
If you missed the Fed's PPPLF webinar on Friday or just want a summary, we have a recap for you.
Feb 19, 2020
According to an FDIC paper, most community financial institutions don't perform portfolio-level analysis of their CRE loans. Doing so can better prepare you for your next exam and the downturn.
Jan 15, 2020
The FDIC and OCC have proposed changes to CRA regulations. We have an update.
Jun 6, 2019
California recently introduced an anti-displacement code of conduct for financial institutions. Here are some of the things you might want to know.
Nov 5, 2018
The most recent FDIC survey found that small business lending by banks has been significantly underestimated. We provide the interesting findings.
Jun 27, 2018
According to a new SBA rule, banks may no longer issue SBA-backed loans to any business that directly interacts with the marijuana industry, even peripherally. What you should know.
Feb 6, 2018
The path to positive consideration under CRA may not be clear for many community bankers. We provide some helpful hints.
Feb 3, 2021
Credit migration is always a concern for bankers and the uncertainty around the pandemic has only increased it. Deferrals seem to be less prevalent, yet criticized loans have increased. We look at the current credit migration trend to keep you updated.
Jan 8, 2020
Whatever your thoughts on climate change, severe weather patterns are affecting the real estate market. We provide you with an update.
Jul 17, 2019
A top Fed official has a message for banks that have been slow to start switching from using LIBOR as an index - get cracking. We provide the latest update on the LIBOR to SOFR transition.
May 23, 2019
All banks should have the LIBOR-SOFR transition on their list and move it up in importance, as the 2021 deadline draws near. We give you some helpful tips.
Apr 30, 2019
If you are like most community banks, communicating your appetite for risk consistently is a challenge. How can you ensure consistency in loan pricing at your bank?
Feb 4, 2019
The latest Financial Stability Report by the Fed provides insight into borrowing by businesses. Some facts you may want to know.
Nov 21, 2018
Getting a loan from a large bank can be a challenge for a small business startup. This is good news for community banks.
Oct 15, 2018
When community banks evaluate commercial loan risk exposure, a key element is loan grade. Yet, not all banks have a uniform loan grading system. We present some interesting findings from an FDIC examination.
Jun 20, 2018
In April, credit-reporting agencies dropped all information on tax liens and court-ordered debts from consumer credit reports and ratings. How this could affect your underwriting practices.
Apr 18, 2018
It is difficult for season business customers to manage through each season and it is not easy for their banker either. Fortunately, there are good approaches to minimizing risk when you lend to seasonal businesses.
Mar 28, 2018
Small-business loan delinquency rates have climbed a bit since their 2013 low. Some tips to manage this rising risk.
Jan 9, 2018
The FDIC reports that as of Q3, YTD community bank lending growth in Single Family Residential was $17B. Some high level tips to consider in this market.
Nov 22, 2017
Could poor energy efficiency predict commercial loan defaults? New study sheds some light.
Jul 1, 2022
In the current low-rate environment, almost one in five community financial institutions plan to add new lines of business to boost earnings, alongside leveraging their existing business. Here we look at six potential revenue streams that CFIs may want to explore.
Jun 8, 2022
When CFIs create “green niches” that support fast-growing companies with environmental-friendly business models, it can prove to be quite profitable. Then add the bonus of delighting investors and satisfying regulators, well then, the trifecta can bring great dividends indeed. We share several ways that your institution can create a green niche through real industry examples.
Aug 24, 2022
In the competitive small business lending market, a clear understanding of business owner needs can go a long way to drive an institution’s loan portfolio growth. Gaining that edge takes hard work and sophisticated data mining. Here are four steps to make your SME loan strategy more holistic, ultimately resulting in increased revenue.
Apr 7, 2022
The Small Business Administration provided $85MM in microloans to 5,890 people in 2020. Many community financial institutions assisted in that business as intermediaries. These loans help startups and smaller businesses that might not be eligible for traditional loans. Are they worthwhile for your institution? We explore this lending sector.
Apr 14, 2022
Minority-owned businesses play an increasingly important role in the US economy, generating $1.7T in revenue and providing more than 8.9MM jobs. Yet many are still finding it tough to access finance to grow and expand. Recently, the government increased its efforts to improve the situation. Here are five efforts that community financial institutions can do to help address this challenge.
May 25, 2022
Is construction ebbing or flowing? It depends. Commercial construction spending was down in March. Yet, architecture backlogs are full. Community financial institutions having construction loans in their portfolios will need to firm up risk mitigation, as they closely watch economic indicators. Here are three reminders to lower the risk with these loans in your portfolio.
Jan 6, 2022
The agriculture industry appears to have experienced a turnaround during 2021. The USDA expects 2021 net farm income to increase by 23% YoY. We take a look at what has driven the recovery this past year, review the outlook for 2022, and suggest three ways in which community financial institutions could reap the most from this boom.
Feb 25, 2022
As small and midsize businesses are optimistic, 90% anticipate their business will expand successfully. Many of these businesses will need funding to fuel this expansion, especially with increasing costs. Here are three ways to tap into business optimism and growth.
Aug 23, 2021
The hospitality industry was hit hard by the effects of the coronavirus. Yet, community financial institutions that lend to hotels and other hospitality-industry businesses are seeing a drop in loan delinquencies. With the recent Delta variant and increasing rates of infection, will loan delinquencies change course and do a U-turn?
Aug 24, 2021
With 8MM minority-owned businesses in the US, many are having a hard time finding funding. Financial institutions, large and small, are stepping up to help them. While we know that community financial institutions are masters at assisting their communities, we highlight four important ways financial institutions are supporting minority-owned businesses.
May 25, 2021
As the economy opens up more and more, community financial institutions will be looking for ways to use their liquidity and boost SMB lending. We give you a few ways to do that: leverage automated processes, continue to offer SBA loans, boost construction lending (in the right markets), and create new lending niches.
Jul 12, 2021
Lending is at an all-time low for many financial institutions. Using data can expand your SBA lending and supplement your loan portfolio with the lower risk of government-backed loans. We explore three data strategies to increase your lending efforts, including using third-party data, leveraging your CRM data, and even mining your loan data.
Apr 21, 2021
The Paycheck Protection Program has been a lifesaver for many small businesses. With some recent changes, both your current business customers and new ones could still receive much-needed assistance. The program has been extended, proceeds have potentially increased for Schedule C filers, eligibility has been expanded, and new forms facilitate streamlined processing.
Mar 17, 2021
The percentage of immigrants as a share of the population has grown in the last 40Ys to 13.7% vs. 4.8% in 1970. We found 5 interesting ways that your peers are supporting their foreign-born community members, including alternative credit scoring, microbusiness loans, small-dollar loans, and more.
Feb 26, 2021
The IRS recently provided guidance on certain tax breaks for forgiven PPP loans. With a large number of community financial institutions providing these loans, it is important to pass this information on to borrowers. We give you a short summary of the allowed deductions and how the reporting rules were modified for financial institutions providing these loans.
Feb 25, 2021
As the pandemic continues and tenants struggle to pay rent, small landlords could suffer, and with them, their lenders. Yet, there are several ways community financial institutions can help their borrowers, and themselves, including government-backed loan forbearance programs, additional PPP or SBA loans, and new customized ways to work with your borrowers.
Dec 30, 2020
While the BID takes a rest for the holidays, we revisit some of 2020's most popular articles.
Nov 4, 2020
It has been reported that 70% of Americans are stressed about the economy and work. We provide three ways to help your customers through their financial anxiety.
Oct 20, 2020
Today we share some of the highlights of conversations we have had with bankers on lending and their planning for 2021.
Oct 16, 2020
A number of community financial institutions are participating in the Main Street Lending Program. We show you three strategies to gain market share through it.
Aug 26, 2020
As you work with your customers during these tough times, we have five strategies that may help mitigate the credit crunch.
Aug 13, 2020
With PPP loans on your books, is it best to keep them, sell them, or hire a vendor to help? We run through these options.
Aug 10, 2020
The Main Street Lending Program is one government program that hasn't received much attention. We share some of the experiences from your peers who have begun to offer loans through this federal program.
Jul 9, 2020
As businesses reopen and change gears, it may be time for community financial institutions to refine some of their lending processes. We give you three ways to do that.
Jun 24, 2020
Some of your customers will need PPP loan forgiveness. We provide you with six pointers to help them through the process.
Jun 17, 2020
As the PPP deadline draws near, opportunities still exist to help small businesses. We explore where to locate more customers, new legislation, and looking beyond PPP.
Jun 8, 2020
Financial institutions that participated in the PPP should celebrate their successes. Yet, there are also some post-lending tasks to stay on top of.
Jun 3, 2020
CRE loans are being impacted by COVID-19 depending on the type. Let's discuss the latest stats and how it may impact your business.
Jun 2, 2020
Besides helping out businesses in need, community financial institutions using the PPP for their customers will likely reap other long-term benefits.
May 28, 2020
Many banks have been assessing their lending criteria and tightening their standards. To show what your peers are doing, we provide you with some highlights of the Fed's latest bank lending practices report.
May 19, 2020
In continued support of businesses, the Fed announced its Main Street Lending Program. We give you the important highlights.
Mar 20, 2020
Loan growth is expected to be challenging this year. We help you whittle down some of the obstacles.
Feb 10, 2020
The SEC's inaugural report on small business capital development caught our eye. We provide you with some of the highlights.
Feb 5, 2020
As community financial institutions know, lending to small businesses can be tricky, especially if they are new ones. We provide some insight on the matter.
Jan 27, 2020
A risk-based pricing strategy can give community financial institutions a chance to improve market share without also increasing risk.
Nov 15, 2019
Small businesses are the mainstay for community banks. So today, we provide you with an updated small business snapshot.
Oct 30, 2019
If you are looking for more customers, the unbanked and underbanked may be worth reviewing. We give you some things to think about here.
Oct 28, 2019
When it comes to using alternative data, some financial institutions don't trust it very much, while others are tinkering with it. What you should know.
Oct 24, 2019
The NY Fed's most recent survey on nonemployer firms shows 43% have unmet funding needs. This could be an opportunity for your institution.
Aug 22, 2019
CRE lending competition is heating up, mainly due to nonbank lenders. We give you an update.
Jul 26, 2019
Community banks should be among the beneficiaries of a rule change impacting how the biggest banks calculate their adherence to Liquidity Coverage Ratios, We give you an update.
May 29, 2019
Opportunity zones from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act may provide community banks with new loans and new customers. We give you an update.
May 22, 2019
Just because some retailers close doesn't mean all of your loans in this sector to all types of retailers are in danger. We give you the rundown on this lending sector.
Apr 24, 2019
Hospitality lending can be a good niche for many community banks that do it right. There are definitely unique challenges to the sector, but with the right expertise and technology, the profit on high-yielding hotel loans can outweigh the risks.
Mar 25, 2019
The demand for commercial and industrial (C&I) loans is alive and well it seems. Make sure your lending team is ready to pounce.
Mar 15, 2019
Small business owners have given up around $43k on average in lost opportunities because of insufficient cash flow issues. Here's how your bank can help these customers.
Mar 12, 2019
According to the Kauffman Index, the percentage of "encore entrepreneurs" has risen to 24.3% and is the largest gain of any age group. Find out who these entrepreneurs are and how your bank could help them.
Jan 18, 2019
Community banks and their customers are feeling the effects of the government shutdown, now in its fourth week. We give you a rundown of the situation.
Jan 11, 2019
Competition is growing as agricultural-focused fintech firms (agtech) are entering the market. We offer some tips to help.
Jan 3, 2019
According to a study by PayNet and Raddon, small businesses are eager for loans. We provide you with some insight from this report to help you win over these eager customers.
Nov 13, 2018
Half of community banks cite decision speed as a competitive advantage over big banks for small business loans. How to ensure this advantage will last.
Nov 8, 2018
Big banks are 2x as likely to accept online small business lending applications, yet only 23% accept them at all. We dig into this and other details from the latest FDIC survey.
Nov 7, 2018
How does the sudden rising cost of materials affect construction loans? We offer ways to mitigate this risk, as higher tariffs are absorbed into building projects.
Oct 29, 2018
Small business lending is a competitive market. We outline some of the details based on the latest Community Banking in the 21st Century report, including potential opportunities.
Oct 26, 2018
Over 70% of small business owners name one of the top big banks as their primary financial institution. How to grab more SMB lending from big banks.
Sep 10, 2018
In 2017, US companies spent $3.6B on self-storage facilities. We provide you with the latest updates on this lending sector.
Aug 15, 2018
The new 2018 Farm Bill is expected to help farmers and ranchers, which will facilitate ag lending for community banks. We provide the highlights.
Aug 7, 2018
Lenders are seeing an increased demand for long-term loans. How can community banks satisfy this demand in a rising rate environment?
Jul 26, 2018
Construction lending can be messy and complex. We provide some tips for streamlining.
Jul 19, 2018
Aite Group examined how much time commercial lenders devote to core responsibilities. We provide you with some of the results.
May 1, 2018
C&I can be profitable and help diversify your loan portfolios. We look at some ways to capture this business.
Mar 7, 2018
Community banks have business customers that lease equipment, but they may not come to their bank for funding. Is this a potential opportunity for your bank?
Dec 19, 2017
Community banks have a history of helping their communities during crises. Some inspiring examples of this support following the recent disasters.
Nov 7, 2017
When natural disasters strike, community banks are deeply affected in the short term. Steps banks can take to assist rebuilding of neighborhoods and strengthening customer loyalty.
Mar 7, 2023
Small businesses have been at the heart of the post-pandemic economic recovery, but high inflation and hiring challenges are contributing to a negative outlook for them. By rethinking the lending process, CFIs can support SMBs through these tough times, while also increasing their own revenue opportunities, cutting the cost to serve, and minimizing risk. We explore how.
Apr 6, 2023
Domestic and global trends push up demand for oil and gas, creating new lending opportunities for CFIs that specialize in the sector. We discuss the pros and cons of lending to this industry, and what to consider, if you do decide to take the plunge.
Nov 30, 2021
The residential rental market is soaring, both for single-family and multifamily rentals. An exceptionally tight housing market, low vacancy rates, and COVID-related shifts in demand for building use have led to unprecedented growth in rentals and sky-high prices. We take a closer look at the dynamics of the rental market and the implications for community financial institutions.
Dec 6, 2021
According to the Federal Reserve’s Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey, commercial loan demand is starting to increase. But, the competition is fierce. While some community financial institutions have increased their small business approval rates, will it be enough to stay in the game? Here are five lending tips to help your institution stay competitive.
Dec 27, 2021
While the BID takes a rest for the holidays, we revisit some of the year's most popular articles.
Dec 29, 2021
While the BID takes a rest for the holidays, we revisit some of the year's most popular articles.
Feb 23, 2022
After initially suffering a severe setback as a result of the pandemic, some areas of the commercial real estate (CRE) market are recovering more strongly than others. Notably, offices, multi-family, and certain niche sectors are looking optimistic. The outlook for subsectors like hotels and retail remains less certain.
Mar 28, 2022
Consumer spending was up 2.1% in January, which has prompted several businesses to increase their inventory and turn to their community financial institutions for loans. What exactly is driving this need for more funds right now and how can bankers capitalize on them?
Apr 26, 2022
A full economic recovery in the various CRE sectors is crucial both for community financial institutions and their customers. The overall CRE market seems to be making a recovery after the pandemic's impact, especially the industrial sector. We highlight this sector and explore whether it will stay strong through the end of 2022.
May 3, 2022
Hotels have seen their ups and downs in the past couple of years. Now, as consumers are flush with savings and ready to venture out again, hotels are seeing a welcomed burst of activity. This is good news for bankers supporting these businesses. Trepp’s CMBS delinquency rate for hotels sank to 6.87% in March, a decrease of 95 basis points MoM. But the real question is — will this high level of activity continue?
May 6, 2022
Community financial institutions are looking for lending opportunities. Yet, they may not naturally think about mobile home lending as a means to grow their loan portfolio. But, this sector had a stellar performance last year. In 2021 alone, more than $3B in mobile home loans were issued, which is higher than anything experienced in this market in the past 5Ys. We explore this hot lending segment further.
Jun 9, 2022
As adoption of cryptocurrencies grows, cryptofinance and crypto lending are extending their reach and proving alluring to some borrowers and lenders alike. We give you an overview of this developing trend — certainly one for community financial institutions to watch.
Jun 21, 2022
The outlook for office loans is less than rosy. The US is set to have a glut of office space for a number of reasons, not the least of which is increased utilization of remote workers. For CFIs starting to experience stress in their office loan portfolio, we share several ways to mitigate potential problems.
Jun 30, 2022
Demand for commercial lending is heating up. CFIs have an opportunity to expand into new markets, add talented lenders, launch new niches, and team up for bigger deals – all while maintaining stellar credit quality. We delve into the details.
Jul 25, 2022
As mortgage foreclosures begin to inch up and federal foreclosure moratoriums draw to a close, financial institutions should prepare themselves for a worst-case scenario. It’s unlikely that the bursting of the current real estate bubble will play out the way things did when the last couple of real estate bubbles burst. Should a worst-case scenario emerge, CFIs should be prepared to show regulators they took adequate precautions.
Aug 1, 2022
CFIs have been successful in expanding relationships with small business owners who came to the institution during the pandemic for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. Indeed, some PPP borrowers even moved their entire banking relationship over to the CFI. We look at some of the ways CFIs have been able to deepen those relationships.
Aug 9, 2022
Small business owners are more pessimistic about the economy than they have been in nearly half a century, according to a new survey. But they remain somewhat optimistic about their own future. In this muddied outlook, CFIs need to move cautiously in how they work with small business borrowers.
Aug 19, 2022
With one-third of the country unable to secure traditional lending, some employers have begun adding loans for employees with adequate income but low credit scores to their benefit offerings. This allows employees to borrow funds and rebuild credit responsibly, while avoiding fees from siphoning off retirement savings.
Aug 29, 2022
The US housing market has been red-hot for a good while. However, overvalued home prices, rising interest rates, and the growing number of home purchases by private equity firms mean that, for many financial institutions, the traditional mortgage business is shrinking. CFIs that want to compete in this space should market specifically to traditional homebuyers, and all CFIs should be aware of how this will impact the makeup of the communities they serve.
Sep 16, 2022
CFIs can lower their exposure while boosting their profitability by pricing commercial loans commensurate with the borrower’s risk. We delve into the details of a risk-based pricing model.
Sep 20, 2022
After two years of post-pandemic recovery in the CRE market, there are signs of a cooling off, driven by rising rates and fears of a recession. This leaves leading financial institutions with high CRE concentrations exposed and subject to greater scrutiny by regulators. We provide four strategies to manage CRE in this current market uncertainty.
Oct 31, 2022
The bid by Ford to gain approval from the FDIC for an industrial bank is the latest attempt by a major company to gain a state banking charter. Smaller banks are wary, while other large corporations like Amazon, Walmart, and Home Depot are no doubt watching closely.
Nov 9, 2022
CFIs say their top strategic goal is growing loans. They also say they plan to increase tech spending. Targeting more of that increased tech spending on products demanded by small businesses can help advance loan growth.
Nov 16, 2022
Following yet another interest rate hike, economists are predicting that the housing market will not only continue to slow, but will hit a major downturn in 2023. We discuss how CFIs can pivot and demonstrate their value to potential borrowers, when it occurs.
Nov 18, 2022
As financial institutions increasingly rely on artificial intelligence and machine learning to determine lending worthiness, fairness testing software is becoming an important component in verifying that the algorithms lenders are relying on don’t have their own biases built in.
Nov 22, 2022
Borrowing a page from the Paycheck Protection Program, some banks have begun offering microloans to early-stage businesses based on their gross income. We consider the pluses and minuses of this underwriting method.
Dec 6, 2022
This year has seen record inflation, ongoing interest rate hikes, and economic recovery, followed by anxiety over a possible recession. In this first installment of our three-part review of 2022, we look at this turbulent market and how it has impacted lending.
Dec 19, 2022
History shows that recessions lead to higher default rates among consumers. By predicting and managing delinquency before it occurs, a CFI can increase the lifetime value of existing customers by helping them avoid becoming delinquent.
Dec 20, 2022
Fourteen years of near-zero interest rates may have lulled CFIs into complacency. Shifting gears with the recent rise in rates means CFIs need to adjust to both the immediate and longer-term implications. As CFIs adapt to the new rate environment and its impact on net interest margins, we provide some thoughts to consider.
Jan 19, 2023
Supply chain financing had already gained speed prior to the pandemic, but activity has picked up substantially over the past two years. What CFIs should know about the rise in supply chain financing and why they may want to consider adding it into the fold.
Feb 9, 2023
Algorithms are becoming a mainstay in loan approval processes, but studies show that interaction with tech doesn’t do much for customer satisfaction. Overcoming this challenge might involve CFIs adding back a dash of what they do best into their automated processes: the human touch. We discuss how this can be accomplished.
Feb 23, 2023
Faced with volatility in the stock and real estate markets, investors (including private equity firms) are turning to farmland as global commodity prices grow. That’s keeping some people from going into farming and means that established farmers are sitting on an increasingly valuable piece of collateral. We discuss how CFIs can support existing and new farmers.
Mar 6, 2023
Though the clock is ticking down to the ultimate cessation of LIBOR, the banking industry’s adoption of SOFR has been slower than regulators might have expected. We discuss reasons for the delay and legislation that can ease the process.
Apr 22, 2021
Time is ticking on the transition from LIBOR to SOFR and it is important to keep moving forward. Regulators have advised that using LIBOR for new contracts after 2021 would create safety and soundness risks. Four important reminders allow you to mitigate these risks and prepare for LIBOR’s discontinuation: assess your LIBOR cessation risk, create a plan, devise a solid timeline, and stay on track.
Jun 11, 2021
Marketplace lending is expected to reach almost $559B in 2027 and has grown 33% in market share over the past 5Ys. Is this something that community financial institutions should be concerned about? We give you the background of marketplace lending, who their customers are, how the experience is different, and how to entice their customers to borrow from you instead.
Jun 30, 2021
C-PACE is a low-cost, long-term, fixed-rate financing tool funded by private capital providers. It is being used by building owners to pay as much as 100% of the costs for energy efficiency, carbon emission reduction, and resiliency projects. We explore what you need to know about C-PACE in order to be prepared today and in the future.
Jul 7, 2021
Federal officials just extended a PPP rule change to March 31, 2022, which makes it easier for executive officers, directors, and principal shareholders to apply for PPP loans. These insider loans can be helpful for communities. We explain how, give you the pros and cons of providing insider PPP loans, and explain the potential pitfalls of reputational risk, special treatment, and difficulty denying loans.
Aug 31, 2021
While the economic recovery is not yet complete, there are some bright spots, including CRE. Certain sectors of CRE are showing strength, such as industrial, which has been outperforming other asset classes, according to the CRE Financial Council (CREFC) Board. We reveal other insights by the CREFC Board and the Fed while highlighting certain CRE opportunities found by community financial institutions.
Sep 16, 2021
With the economy slowly recovering, bankers wonder when loan growth will return. With the continuing uncertainties of the Delta variant, labor constraints, and supply issues, significant challenges remain. However, there are some bright spots. We highlight three important lending areas: mortgage lending, CRE, and small business.
Sep 23, 2021
While waiting for lending activity to pick up, community financial institutions are still flush with cash and looking for ways to use it. Some have opted for securities, but there is another option available: syndicated commercial and industrial loans. This $1.5T market could provide opportunities for your institution’s liquidity right now. We explain how.
Nov 17, 2021
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) installment loans have been rising in popularity. Around one in three American digital shoppers have used BNPL to finance purchases, according to LendingTree. POS e-commerce installment payments are expected to reach $680B globally in 2025. Here are the things you should know about BNPL.
Nov 24, 2021
In this second part of our review of 2021, we look at how lending was shaped and specifically address the shifts in the commercial real estate sector. While lending remained low across the board throughout the year, a recovery appears to be in the cards. Meanwhile, commercial real estate seems to have undergone a likely permanent transformation.
Apr 2, 2021
Commercial real estate (CRE) was hit hard because of the pandemic. Now, lenders are hoping that with the economic recovery, CRE will get back on track. We map out what to expect in the coming months with some of the winners and losers along with how to best prepare your institution for the anticipated CRE recovery.
Jan 21, 2021
PPP funding is back! We give you the highlights, including additional eligible applicants, maximum loan amounts, and forgiveness updates.
Jan 7, 2021
With tight competition for top-quality borrowers and high levels of deposits, lending has its challenges in 2021. Three ways to handle these challenges: book more working capital loans, manage CRE portfolio challenges, and monitor nonbank and fintech competition.
Dec 31, 2020
While the BID takes a rest for the holidays, we revisit some of 2020's most popular articles.
Dec 21, 2020
We recently surveyed our customers on the impact of COVID on their institution. Here are some of the results, including top management issues, outlook on staffing, among others.
Dec 11, 2020
The LIBOR transition is underway. We outline ARRC's three qualities for a new benchmark and some key dates to keep you on track.
Dec 1, 2020
For this month's Inquiry & Insight issue, we cover the questions from our readers on supplemental executive retirement plans, employee onboarding during the pandemic, and MSLP updates.
Oct 27, 2020
CRE lenders have a lot to manage these days. We provide you with five key indicators to help.
Oct 23, 2020
Google has a new certificate program that could rival college degrees and impact student lending. Should community financial institutions pay attention?
Oct 7, 2020
We provide you with some of the latest Ag trends and ways to support your customers through them.
Aug 28, 2020
Lenders have been busy with PPP loans. Asking the right questions and digging deeper is important going forward.
Jun 11, 2020
Lenders have lots of questions these days. We shed some light on a few of them.
May 21, 2020
While there are definitely routine things to look for as you stress test, there will be some new areas to address as well. Get started with our six stress testing tips for COVID-19.
May 14, 2020
The world of commercial real estate (CRE) lending has changed virtually overnight given COVID-19. Three steps to keep you on track to best support your customers.
May 6, 2020
Many lenders have completed loan modifications for their borrowers due to the coronavirus. Determining the loan risk rating and next steps after 90 days.
Apr 9, 2020
The CARES Act enables financial institutions to provide important assistance to small businesses. We give you the key takeaways.
Feb 4, 2020
While financial institutions usually focus on new customers to enhance profitability, overall profitability is a multi-dimensional process and existing customers can definitely help too.
Sep 25, 2019
Demand for loans is growing with millennials. Does your institution know how best to appeal to them?
Jul 18, 2019
With the high cost of college, students need to take on more debt than ever. Connecting with these young customers and educating on managing debt may earn your bank life-long customers.
Mar 5, 2019
What can community banks do to keep their business customers in this fierce, non-relenting competitive landscape?
Dec 31, 2018
There are many challenges ahead. Yet, when it comes to the top ones, banks are in agreement. We address the top three to start you on the right course in 2019.
Dec 21, 2018
Community banks outperformed middle-size and large banks for total loan growth in 75% of the regions measured during Q2, according to Trepp Bank Navigator. We provide the key insights.
Jul 9, 2018
As community banks look to millennials as future loan customers, they may need to rethink how they assess creditworthiness. We provide you with some thoughts here.
Apr 27, 2018
Small businesses have been seeing business conditions improve according to a NFIB survey. How your bank can leverage these findings.
Apr 10, 2018
Only 38% of banks with assets under $1B have a digital origination channel, but interest is strong. What you should know before you go down this path.
Mar 6, 2018
Ninety percent of surveyed adults with outstanding student debt said a repayment benefit at work would be welcomed, and by many it was preferred to retirement contributions. What your bank may want to consider.
Jan 26, 2018
A new survey by the FDIC shows community banks support businesses with both flexibility and rigor. How does your bank compare?
Jan 16, 2018
82% of community banks currently offer small-dollar unsecured loans according to the Fed. Is this still a good idea?
Jan 11, 2018
Facebook emerges as a new competitor for banks as it partners with Clearbanc. What community banks should know.
Jan 5, 2018
Imagine the power of knowing where your guarantors are for each loan using connected sensors to better monitor collateral. IoT allows banks to do this.
Dec 29, 2017
An Aite Group study finds different small business sizes approach loans in different ways. Does your bank need to change its lending tactics in light of this?
Nov 17, 2017
We are in "uncharted territory" in the economic cycle. Credit reminders for banks during this uncertain time.
Nov 3, 2017
E-signature interest among banks reaches all-time high. Find out ways to leverage e-signature to drive efficiency for loans and account opening.
Oct 30, 2017
Aite Group finds different small business sizes approach loans in different ways. What your bank should know.
