Comments for The Missing Linc

Comment on It’s Time for Real Financial Reform by Hickman

Hickman — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:38:28 +0000

Great read, Will –

So which side is opposing us on these 4 items and which side agrees?

Comment on It’s Time for Real Financial Reform by Deborah Whisenand

Deborah Whisenand — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:52:04 +0000

Subprime mortgages and the derivative market were the primary cause of this financial crisis. The SEC needs to be able to regulate derivates. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s underwriting standards were (several years ago) much too liberal. Anyone with any credit knowledge knew those loans were risky! The community banks originated loans according to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines.

Investment banks need more capital to withstand a liquidity crisis. With a few changes to current laws we can add a more protection for the smaller banks who did not own those toxic assets.

Comment on Breaking Up The Behemoths by Jim McCurdy

Jim McCurdy — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:21:35 +0000

Great article Chris. Score one for our team!! Hope all is well with you.

Jim

Comment on Systemically Unimportant? by Frank Urbanek

Frank Urbanek — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:52:33 +0000

How can we expect the Federal Reserve to be the regulator to oversee “systemically important” financial institutions when it functions in the shadows with limited scrutiny and oversight? An arm of the federal government the Fed has benefits of a government agency and private organizations. In fact, there is an argument that the Fed caused the bubble when lowering interest rates below where the market would have set them.

I recently attended a debate between the former House Majority Leader Dick Army and economist James K. Galbraith. Leader Army’s position is to let the free market system work on its own citing Keynesian economics will not work due to Keynes’s theory was based on a balanced budget and 10% mandatory budget spending.

If the Fed with no GAO or Congressional oversight and immunity from Freedom of Information Act requests become the regulator to oversee “systemically important” financial institutions, then can we expect protection from future economic problems? For their benefit, when community banks do become “systemically important” what kind of pressure will we start feeling?

Comment on Jumping on the Bandwagon by milton mcgee

milton mcgee — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:35:13 +0000

chris, i commend you and your staff on starting the community banking blog. what a great way to get out our positive message. milton

Comment on Jumping on the Bandwagon by Frank Urbanek

Frank Urbanek — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:25:53 +0000

Thank you for giving a portal to respond on topics closer to home.

“the too big to fail banks” you quoted should be finished with “maybe they shouldn’t be a bank”. Over the last couple of weeks I have had a number of calls from community bankers in search to find someone to participate their loans due to “the too big to fail banks” not lending. As a result, we community bankers now have a greater number of requests for loans over our legal lending limit. This gives us an opportunity to show our strength to the communities we serve and to Washington. Maybe when the media shifts their agenda, they will identify with your blog and those of this type.

Comment on Jumping on the Bandwagon by Kevin Mitchell

Kevin Mitchell — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:50:10 +0000

Chris,
Congratulations on the new blog & on behalf of all community bankers in Texas & the U.S. – - – thanks for all you do to keep putting out the “Word” on community banks & representing us in the law making process.

Comment on Jumping on the Bandwagon by Sergio L San Pedro

Sergio L San Pedro — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:44:54 +0000

Chris, the biggest problem is that no one realizes that there are banks outside the money centers. If you read the press or look at the packages being passes by Congress and the President, they all target the major money center banks – who do need the help – and ignore the rest of us – who may be doing better. Even SBA falls into that trap.

By the way, this is my personal opinion and does not reflect an official corporate position on the subject.

Comment on Jumping on the Bandwagon by Chris Williston

Chris Williston — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:11:00 +0000

Good question…when you have Republicans even jumping on the “nationalization” bandwagon you have to wonder.

Comment on Jumping on the Bandwagon by TJ

TJ — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:58:37 +0000

Congratulations on your first entry into the Blogosphere.

Now how do we get the media to hear you so that they stop spreading fear, fear and more fear.

How do we get our elected officials to hear you so they allow free enterprise to work?