Categories for Market Information

We Need to Take Our Medicine

All of us can think of things we know are good for us, but don’t like them. As a child it was getting vaccination shots for what seemed like an untold number of illnesses. As an adult (well) over 50 [read more...]

Are we Mooo-ving in the right direction?

As a boy, I grew up on a small hobby farm in Michigan. As it turned out, I did not have what it takes to be a good farmer. Even with everything I learned, including the skills necessary to be [read more...]

FDIC 4th Quarter 2018 Banking Profile

Net Income Rises $33.8 Billion Over Fourth Quarter 2017 to $59.1 Billion Higher Net Operating Revenue and Lower Income Tax Expenses Lift Net Income Net Interest Income Increases 8.1 Percent From a Year Earlier Total Loan and Lease Balances Rise [read more...]

Happy 2019!

It is hard to believe that another year has come and gone, but as we welcome 2019, we have an opportunity to start fresh, set clear goals and prioritize for the year ahead. Here are a few things to keep [read more...]

Mick Jagger and Goldilocks

OK, I admit I am probably a bit more of a “seasoned” citizen than a lot of our blog readers. That said, I can assure you that I was not around when Goldilocks and the Three Bears was penned by [read more...]

FDIC 3rd Quarter 2018 Banking Profile

Net Income Registers a Strong Increase of 29.3 Percent From a Year Earlier Higher Net Operating Revenue and a Lower Effective Tax Rate Boost Net Income Net Interest Margin Rises as Increases in Asset Yields Exceed Funding Cost Growth Loan [read more...]

The Milking Stool

Nearly all the people who read this blog has experienced the excitement and satisfaction of getting a new loan approved. You built a relationship with the client or prospect, analyzed the business and its financial condition, determined the business needs [read more...]

Credit Underwriting Gets Grilled

Fall brings back so many of the things we love: kids going back to school, the return of regular schedules and, of course, football season. It’s also a great time to throw some burgers on the grill and enjoy the [read more...]

A Rising Economy Raises all Banks

Most of us have heard the adage that a rising tide raises all boats. Apparently, good news in the overall economy (low unemployment, strong GDP growth, lower taxes, wage growth, strong consumer and business confidence) also means good things for [read more...]

FDIC 2nd Quarter 2018 Banking Profile

Quarterly Net Income Rises 25.1 Percent Over Second Quarter 2017 Income, Led by Higher Net Operating Revenue and a Lower Effective Tax Rate Margins Increase as Average Yields Outpace Growth in Funding Costs Loan Balances Expand 4.2 Percent From Second [read more...]