Community Banker; Washington

Green Banking

There's a lot more to green banking than buying a bunch of fluorescent light bulbs for the office, although that's often a worthy start. Through new branch construction, renovations to existing facilities, restructured back-office operations and new business lines, community banks around the US are realizing bottom-line benefits by embracing ecologically friendly practices. Devon Bank, Wheeling, IL, installed six vertical-axis wind turbines by the side of the building as well as 61 solar elec...

Maximizing Marketing with E-Mail, Youtube

The landscape of technology is shifting to better support more marketing outreach by community banks. Technology is making it easier not only to create and distribute professional marketing messages, but also to analyze customer information and better target prospects. A powerful but under-utilized tool that can support community-bank marketing is e-mail. Because of its ubiquity and low cost, e-mail is an easy and effective way to engage consumers. One advantage of using e-mail versus paper c...

Growing Once, Growing Twice

Growing deposits happens one customer at a time, especially during a time of worsening economic conditions and growing distrust of banks in general. The downward trajectory of the stock market has sent more deposits to federally insured accounts. While net interest margins are showing signs of recovery, they still remain at historically low levels. That said, community banks with loan demand are eager to meet it -- and to do that, they need deposits, which remain one of the most affordable fu...

Putting On the Ritz

Young and Old Team Up

What's in a Name?

Success in Multifamily Housing

More Resources

Interchange Revenue Is Under Attack

Bank interchange revenue is under attack by the merchant community. The revenue that comes from interchange fees is an important source of non-interest income that helps to offset the cost of providing free services. Based on those banks that report interchange revenue, it represents 10% of non-interest income -- a dent that would be clearly felt in any organization should Congress place restrictions on banks' ability to collect appropriate fees. To convey the importance of the issue, ABA is ...

Real Estate Lending: Down but Not Out

Even in the economic downturn, there are signs of a more stable economy in certain regions of US, and more "normal" banking business is being conducted. At South Shore Savings Bank in Weymouth, MA, generally things are slow in loan demand on the commercial side, reported Chris Dunn, EVP and COO. Although real estate lending might be slow in Weymouth, the area is nowhere near economic collapse. Jack Huey, EVP of Capitol Federal Savings Bank, Topeka, KS, said he sees signs that the local market...

Front Matter

Spring Forward

The Lobby

People On the Move

Sustainability: Why It Matters Most Now

If you're one of the many financial service executives looking for a constructive way to view current economic challenges, here's an inspiring perspective. The insights are those of Paul Pierpoint, VP for community education and dean of Northampton Community College's Southside Center, Bethlehem, PA, who recently wrote an opinion piece for The Morning Call, a newspaper based in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley. In tough times like now, sustainable businesses seek out opportunities for the future ...

Exploring Mobile-Banking Opportunities

Rockville Bank's Recipe for Success

The "150 Years and Still Cooking" recipe contest and cookbook was one of more than 25 anniversary events throughout 2008 celebrating the 150th anniversary of Rockville Bank, Rockville, CT. More than 135 recipes were entered in six categories: appetizers, soups, pasta, entrees, desserts and creative kids' meals. A recipe contest and cookbook is ideal for local, community banks that believe in the power of storytelling, which generates positive word-of-mouth advertising, said Laurie Rosner, the...

Financial Service Sector Remains Proactive

Ask Questions That Matter

Treasury Evaluates First Accounts Program

More than 37,000 new bank accounts were opened nationwide by low- and moderate-income individuals in conjunction with the First Accounts program initiated by the Treasury Department to increase access to financial services by unbanked individuals. In documenting "a number of innovative and promising approaches" for attracting unbanked individuals into the financial mainstream, Treasury underscores an important reality: The term unbanked encompasses a great variety of individuals with a range ...

Top Five Social/Commercial Drivers

Bank Kicked Off Its 150-Year Celebration with a Branch Opening at Queens College

Last month Queens County Savings Bank, a division of New York Community Bank, which is celebrating its 150th year of service to the Queens community, opened a new and unique branch. Located within the Student Union of Queens College, the open layout of the branch allows students to easily access their accounts and the branch's staff while going about their school day. The bank has a long-standing relationship with Queens College. Educating students about personal banking options and responsib...

Spending Remains Split for '09

A new survey on how financial services marketers plan to spend their budgets in 2009 found that while roughly four in 10 said they will increase their marketing spending, a similar percentage said they plan a decrease in spending. Of those surveyed, 34% said they plan to increase spending on e-mail marketing in 2009. Of all the categories, survey participants noted that advertising is most likely to see a decrease in spending. Larger financial institutions said they plan on reducing the dolla...

Thumbs' Up for Community Banker Conference

Fed, Treasury Announce Launch of Talf

Regulators: Mark-to Market Guidance On Fast Track

Aba Guide On Regulation Z Amendments Posted Online

Administration Releases Guidelines On Its 'Making Home Affordable Program'

Banking Industry Lost $26.2 Billion in Fourth Quarter

Viewpoints

A Local Banker's Perspective

Despite the past year's challenges, Rockville Bank has remained successful. The bank's core operating earnings are very strong. The key to the bank's long-time and future success is the superior customer service delivered by the staff, coupled with careful leadership from its governance and management. Eighty-five percent of the bank's assets are in loans. It take great care in assessing a customer's ability to repay a loan. They are treated with respect and fairness and, in return, have repa...

Banker To Banker

What Are You Doing to Get or Go Green?

Several bank CEOs shared their views on what they are doing to get or go green. Peter Judkins of Franklin Savings Bank in Farmington, ME said that Franklin Savings Bank has developed a number of lending products to reward customers for energy conservation in their choice of cars and home improvements. Raymond G Hallock of Columbia Bank, Fair Lawn, NJ, said their bank uses advanced technology for electronic record storage, wherever possible, again helping them to reduce dramatically their gene...

Commercial Insights

Consultative Selling: Ask, Don't Tell

A question on what steps commercial relationship managers should take to determine the client's needs is answered. The first two to 10 minutes of a client meeting are the opportunity to make a personal connection and position the purpose and benefit of the meeting. Ask fact-finding, thought-provoking questions about the business, its history, its future, as well as the personal and professional needs of employees, owner and/or managers. Ask the client which financial needs are of greatest imp...