As we watch with contentment as CD rates continue to rise, we know there is also an unmistakable down-side to the Federal Reserve’s persistent rate increases. If it hasn’t already, it will soon be making its debut in a wallet…
Commercial Loans Spooking Some Banks
What could be more scary than high prices and even higher borrowing costs? Another 75 basis point increase in the Fed Funds rate on Wednesday, November 2nd. That’s what. After having borrowing costs near zero for two years, the Federal…
Uninsured Deposits at U.S. CUs Top $165 Billion
Nearly three quarters of all federally-insured credit unions have at least some shares/deposits that exceed the insurance limit (which is typically $250,000). The total of uninsured shares reported by these CUs at June 30th topped $165 billion. If that’s not…
Community Bank Branches are NOT Going Away
That may seem contradictory to the chart below, but notice we said “community bank branches”. According to the FDIC, in the past 12 months, the industry has closed 3,617 branch offices and opened just 1,148 for a net loss of…
More than a Slap on the Wrist for 2-Time Offender
The average amount that U.S. banks charge annually in fees on personal deposit accounts is about 0.19% of the total balances on transaction and savings accounts (T&SA). These fees include overdraft-related charges, periodic maintenance fees, ATM charges and “other” service…
Bank Deposits Decline for 1st Time in 4 Years
Deposits at U.S. banks grew swiftly after COVID arrived here in the states. In fact, domestic deposits increased by 37.5% during calendar 2020 and 2021 and finally peaked on March 31, 2022 at $18.426 trillion. One would think (at least…
Problematic CUs at Highest Level Since 2014
Federally-Insured Credit Unions rated 2-Stars or below, and therefore relegated to Bauer’s Troubled and Problematic Credit Union Report (T&P), are climbing, slowly but surely. Currently at 150 (out of 4,853), that may not seem like a lot. But, it has…
All New Credit Union Star-Ratings this Week
Loans at our nation’s federally-insured credit unions grew by $194 billion (or 16.2%) over the 12 month period ending June 30, 2022. That marks the largest increase in at least 20 years. Provisions for potential losses on those were bolstered…
Bank Assets Decline for 1st Time in 7 Years
In spite of increases in loan balances, both from first quarter and from a year ago, total assets at the nation’s banks declined in the second quarter 2022. (Source: FDIC Quarterly Banking Profile (QBP).) This marks the first quarterly drop…
How Are Americans Coping With Inflation?
About a month ago, the Wall Street Journal ran a story entitled: “Dollar-Store Dinners and Vats of Shampoo Help Families Cope With Inflation” (by Rachel Wolfe August 1, 2022). The basic gist of the story is that many families can…