Recent News
The basic business of banking is balancing risk and reward. But in this new climate, what must a traditional bank do to expand its client base and retain strong employees? Well, perhaps banks can gain an upper hand on both fronts by finding ways to do good while also profiting. In this article, Andrew Waxman suggests banks identify underbanked sectors and provide innovative financial tools that can enable profitable capital development. Secondly, banks should empower employees to work on tools that will provide them a "human" as well as "financial" return.
Cities with soaring housing costs have had some success in lowering rents, but that relief has not reached the low-income renters most at risk of losing their housing. Nationally, the pace of rent increases is slowing, with the average rent in at least six cities falling since last summer. However, the decline is primarily in high-end rentals, not for the apartments and other units that house working-class residents who need it most.
Dominik Mjartan, the new president and CEO of South Carolina Community Bank, hopes technological innovations can jolt the struggling bank back to profitability. By digitizing loan files via Sageworks and securing fintech partners to offer more technological solutions for customers, Mjartan hopes to transform the bank for modern needs.
Peoples Financial Corporation, parent of The Peoples Bank, announces the completion of its 110,000 common share repurchase program authorized by its board in December of 2017. The board believes this is an efficient use of capital and monitors prevailing market conditions in consideration of future share repurchase programs. As of June 30, 2018, the company reported 5,037,719 common shares outstanding.
Starting a small business, becoming an entrepreneur, and taking charge of one's own economic destiny are part of the American dream. However, small businesses and entrepreneurs regularly encounter hurdles accessing the necessary capital to move forward. Watch a video recording of a live panel featuring Paul Greig, Mark Walsh, and former US Senator Olympia Snow as they discuss how to respond to this dilemma.
Security Federal Corporation, the holding company for Security Federal Bank, announces its earnings for the quarter. Notably, for the six months ending on June 30, 2018, net income increased by 14.3 percent to $3.6 million or $1.20 per share, compared to $3.1 million or $1.06 per share for the same period in 2017. The increase in earnings was primarily due to increases in net interest income and non-interest income combined with a decrease in the provision for income tax expense.
Wayne-Kent Bradshaw is the current chief executive of Broadway Federal Bank, the last African American bank headquartered in the Western United States. Bradshaw showed promise from an early age as a teenager in Kingston, Jamaica. After moving to the states, his love for film spurred his passion for mission driven banking. Bradshaw worked for various struggling financial institutions to flip them back on top, ultimately leading him to do the same for Broadway Federal.
The last black-owned bank in Chicago is changing its name to reflect its owner's global ties in an effort build trust in its future. Illinois Service Federal Savings and Loan in Bronzeville, known as ISF Bank, will become GN (Groupe Nduom) Bank, taking on the name of a separate, international banking company owned by its chairman, Papa Kweisi Nduom. Nduom grew up in Milwaukee but was for years a government minister and Member of Parliament in Ghana. GN has about 300 branches worldwide, according to the company.
First Bancshares, Inc. announces their planned merger with FMB Banking Corporation in which First Bancshares will acquire 100% of the common stock of FMB. The new combined Company will hold about $3.0 billion in total assets, $2.5 billion in total deposits, $2.0 billion in total loans, and 67 locations. This move will expand The First's presence in the Florida panhandle, southern Georgia, and the Tallahassee market.
FNBC Bank President and CEO Marty Sellars has announced the bank's expansion into Jonesboro with the hire of Jonesboro native Brad Snider as Community President and Brock Fletcher as Vice President and Commercial Lender. FNBC intends to open their new location with a Loan Production Office on August 23rd, making this their 11th loca
OneUnited Bank, the nation's biggest black-owned bank, proves its commitment to social justice with the debut of the Justice Card, a debit card featuring a design by artist Addonis Parker. The card is part of the bank's support of immigrants as well as their support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Carver Federal Savings Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to the community by allocating $195,000 in non-profit donations through BEA program funding. The selected organizations specialize in economic development, addict rehabilitation, work force development, education, entrepreneurship, health, and housing.
Virginia Community Capital has been working hard to revitalize the Jefferson Davis Highway Corridor. In recent years the area has seen a rise in poverty, crime, and abandoned storefronts. However, in partnership with the city of Richmond, VCC has given nearly $2 million dollars in loans to local businesses in an effort to rebuild this community.
Many Americans, especially younger generations, are carrying less cash every day. With the growing availability of alternatives such as mobile phone payments, are we witnessing the death of cash? Ultimately, for many, it boils down to convenience. Consumers will use the method that is easiest and saves time. Sunrise Banks' CEO offers his insights on the matter.
The DC area has striking levels of economic inequality. Community development works to change this, but how equitably are these resources distributed? This new tool shows how well counties are accessing federal funds. The data shows that DC does well in accessing community development financing, though there is comparatively small levels of small business investment.
Bankers have traditionally been reluctant to participate in the Small Business Investment Companies (SBIC) program. However now, as the pace of borrowing by SBICs under the Small Business Administration's (SBA) debenture program holds steady for the first time in three years, more banks are getting interested in the program for perceived benefits as well as potential positive impact.
The application deadline for the 2018 ABA Foundation Community Commitment Awards has been extended to Friday, July 13. The awards recognize and promote the many ways banks contribute to economic growth, community development and overall well-being. Open to banks of all asset sizes and charters, the awards celebrate financial institutions that have demonstrated noteworthy corporate social responsibility. Bankers can submit applications in one or all seven categories: affordable housing, community and economic development, financial education, protecting older Americans, volunteerism, and... Read more
Little Rock, Arkansas based Southern Bancorp has made a successful business model out of serving places larger banks ignore. Bill Wright, a Little Rock native who leads the Bank's western region, proudly rattles off the names of business owners the bank has supported. Recently, as the bank seeks to expand into further markets in the area, it received $7.5 million from SFRE, a group of global investors interested in banks with a social mission.
Southern Bancorp has completed several acquisitions since the financial crisis, but the biggest bank it bought had just $211 million in assets. Those acquisitions have largely focused on rural markets in Arkansas and Mississippi. CEO Darrin Williams sees no reason to alter that strategy after bringing in almost $18 million in fresh capital. Southern plans to keep scooping up banks that target largely underserved populations. “We want to be profitable but with a purpose,” Williams said. “We talk about riding a bicycle. The front wheel is our mission, while the back wheel pushes... Read more
The share of children living in poverty in the U.S. is currently higher than it was before the Great Recession. According to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, nearly 20 percent of children were living in poverty in 2016, compared with 18 percent in 2007. Child poverty rates continue to be highest in the South and Southwest, particularly in counties with concentrations of Native Americans and along the Mississippi Delta.