Manufacturing is an important facet of the U.S. economy, despite the increase in imported goods steady elimination of factory jobs here in the states. With private sector manufacturing jobs representing only 10% of the workforce now versus 25% during the 1980s, it would seem the...
As banking continues to go through changes and services become more electronic-based, bank branches are slowly falling off the map. Just under 2,600 bank branches have closed in 2014, while a mere 1,137 have opened. SNL Financial reported that 2013 saw a net loss of...
Here Comes the Surcharge: Big Banks Dealt another Regulatory Blow by the Feds In another effort to reduce the risk of "too big to fail" banks and financial institutions, the Federal Reserve plans to hit the largest of U.S. banks with an expensive new regulation. Accordingly,...
In a recent move by Washington to stunt economic growth, Washington agreed to a two-step strategy. The first step involves Fannie Mae bringing back low and no money down mortgages. The second step would be to discourage business loans. A few weeks ago, Mel Watts, the...
Congress made a decision to temporarily extend the Export-Import Bank. However, the decision is affecting business owners who depend on the credit agency. The agency decreases their risks when they export items. The charter was extended by Congress until the middle of 2015. The extended time...
A recently released report on the economic conditions and earnings of big banks seem to paint a picture of stability. However, a more plausible interpretation would attribute it to stagnation and the difficulties that lie ahead. Overall, investors see a rather unimpressive rate of return...
In a recent hearing before the Senate Banking Committee, lawmakers continue to call for increased regulatory reform from regulators in an effort to reduce the risk big banks pose to the U.S. financial system. A distinction was made between large banks and other financial institutions....
The nation's largest banks continue to prepare for exams to be conducted by the Federal Reserve next year. These exams are to determine whether they have the financial strength to handle a severe downturn akin to the 2008 financial crisis. Under the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial law,...
"Too Big to Fail Banks" (TBTF) has a nice ring to it if you are a banker, but many struggling citizens are demanding tougher regulations on the members of the Federal Reserve System (FED). The United States is considering increasing the surcharge for being part...