District Banker's Comments District Banker's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/187438/comments Citigroup: A Sandy Capital Update http://seekingalpha.com/article/178525-citigroup-a-sandy-capital-update?source=feed#comment-808996 808996
How many of these banks are generating net capital gains on their securities with any consistency? ]]>
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:36:17 -0500
How many of these banks are generating net capital gains on their securities with any consistency? ]]>
Wells Fargo: Please Dilute Shareholders and Repay TARP Now! http://seekingalpha.com/article/177751-wells-fargo-please-dilute-shareholders-and-repay-tarp-now?source=feed#comment-801747 801747
don't worry about the balance sheet - those toxic assets won't come back to bite you!]]>
Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:08:08 -0500
don't worry about the balance sheet - those toxic assets won't come back to bite you!]]>
Wells Fargo: Please Dilute Shareholders and Repay TARP Now! http://seekingalpha.com/article/177751-wells-fargo-please-dilute-shareholders-and-repay-tarp-now?source=feed#comment-801411 801411
Do you know what would be dilutive? REPURCHASING SHARES (contrary to your suggestion). This is basic finance, and you shouldn't be posting if you don't understand it. ]]>
Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:49:21 -0500
Do you know what would be dilutive? REPURCHASING SHARES (contrary to your suggestion). This is basic finance, and you shouldn't be posting if you don't understand it. ]]>
Chart of the Day: The Big Banks Get Bigger http://seekingalpha.com/article/177545-chart-of-the-day-the-big-banks-get-bigger?source=feed#comment-800319 800319 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:55:06 -0500 Wells Fargo, JPMorgan and Bank of America: Stock Prices Can Double http://seekingalpha.com/article/174773-wells-fargo-jpmorgan-and-bank-of-america-stock-prices-can-double?source=feed#comment-773691 773691 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:47:52 -0500 Synovus: A Beat-Up Bank to Bet On http://seekingalpha.com/article/174618-synovus-a-beat-up-bank-to-bet-on?source=feed#comment-773536 773536

On Nov 22 08:00 PM See through it wrote:

> Lots of RECENT insider buys at prices above current levels. There's
> only one reason insiders buy...]]>
Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:12:18 -0500

On Nov 22 08:00 PM See through it wrote:

> Lots of RECENT insider buys at prices above current levels. There's
> only one reason insiders buy...]]>
Delinquent Mortgages Equal to Three Times the Balanced For-Sale Inventory http://seekingalpha.com/article/174501-delinquent-mortgages-equal-to-three-times-the-balanced-for-sale-inventory?source=feed#comment-769669 769669 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:35:38 -0500 Barclays, BNP Roped in by K1 Group Hedge Fund Fraud http://seekingalpha.com/article/170379-barclays-bnp-roped-in-by-k1-group-hedge-fund-fraud?source=feed#comment-743170 743170 >noonecaresaboutyou...


On Nov 01 08:50 AM john s. gordon wrote:

> so hedgie fund fraud is not only in the u.s.a.]]>
Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:00:07 -0500 >noonecaresaboutyou...


On Nov 01 08:50 AM john s. gordon wrote:

> so hedgie fund fraud is not only in the u.s.a.]]>
Commercial Real Estate: We're Just Kicking the Can Down the Road http://seekingalpha.com/article/170613-commercial-real-estate-we-re-just-kicking-the-can-down-the-road?source=feed#comment-743154 743154 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:55:10 -0500 Hedge Fund Fees: Is 2 and 20 Fair and Appropriate? http://seekingalpha.com/article/164781-hedge-fund-fees-is-2-and-20-fair-and-appropriate?source=feed#comment-704058 704058
Further, if you want performance measured against an index - buy a mutual fund. When you measure a manager against an index, he tends to mimic that index in his portfolio, adjusting weightings here and there for his favorite/least favorite positions. This is what mutual funds do, and why they get so big (managers become incentivised to make $ on AUM, not performance).

Finally, if you measure a hedge fund against an index - how do you pay that fund when the index is down? I work at a hedge fund that was up better than 30% last year. We took our performance fee based on the 30%+ returns we generated - not our 30% + the amount (insert index here) was down.


On Oct 05 04:50 AM Moon Kil Woong wrote:

> Personally, I'd be more concerned with the 2% when I loose money.
> Furtnermore, like all other hedge funds, the bonus should only be
> paid upon beating a given index. Otherwise they just sit around and
> dream about volatility. Last year they only took 2% because this
> year they can book 20% on their making some portion of their money
> back (not the 20% they have to pay doing it). Then also the taxman
> cometh to collect their share. In almost every way possible, this
> is bad for the investor.
>
> Needless to say, I don't buy hedge funds. But I suppose, if you are
> dense enough to pay for them under these terms I suppose they have
> the right to charge you what you are willing to pay. Most likely
> if you weren't losing your equity with them you'd be losing it with
> someone else. You just can't protect a fool and their money from
> being parted. The financial market has known this for centuries.
> Just ask Bernie Madoff. Most likely he would just laugh.]]>
Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:28:32 -0400
Further, if you want performance measured against an index - buy a mutual fund. When you measure a manager against an index, he tends to mimic that index in his portfolio, adjusting weightings here and there for his favorite/least favorite positions. This is what mutual funds do, and why they get so big (managers become incentivised to make $ on AUM, not performance).

Finally, if you measure a hedge fund against an index - how do you pay that fund when the index is down? I work at a hedge fund that was up better than 30% last year. We took our performance fee based on the 30%+ returns we generated - not our 30% + the amount (insert index here) was down.


On Oct 05 04:50 AM Moon Kil Woong wrote:

> Personally, I'd be more concerned with the 2% when I loose money.
> Furtnermore, like all other hedge funds, the bonus should only be
> paid upon beating a given index. Otherwise they just sit around and
> dream about volatility. Last year they only took 2% because this
> year they can book 20% on their making some portion of their money
> back (not the 20% they have to pay doing it). Then also the taxman
> cometh to collect their share. In almost every way possible, this
> is bad for the investor.
>
> Needless to say, I don't buy hedge funds. But I suppose, if you are
> dense enough to pay for them under these terms I suppose they have
> the right to charge you what you are willing to pay. Most likely
> if you weren't losing your equity with them you'd be losing it with
> someone else. You just can't protect a fool and their money from
> being parted. The financial market has known this for centuries.
> Just ask Bernie Madoff. Most likely he would just laugh.]]>
Have Thrifts Outlived Their Usefulness? http://seekingalpha.com/article/164533-have-thrifts-outlived-their-usefulness?source=feed#comment-700654 700654 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:37:30 -0400 The Hard Truth, Courtesy of the FDIC http://seekingalpha.com/article/164066-the-hard-truth-courtesy-of-the-fdic?source=feed#comment-700638 700638
I agree, it is not a good sign for either the FDIC (obviously the DIF is hurting at best, and likely insolvent), or banks (who are incurring higher insurance costs because of the increased number of bank failures).

We are in 100% agreement on this. However, nothing in the above paragraph suggests that banks should simply take this massive hit to equity all at once, immediately. GAAP accounting allows for the recognition of this expense as it is incurred - NOT PAID.

Similar to a deferred tax asset, there is value in this prepaid expense line. There are circumstances where the prepaid expense line may be accelerated - for example if the FDIC comes with their hands out yet again. However likely that may be (and I agree that this almost certainly will happen), it has not happened YET, and thus - GAAP accounting should be applied.


On Sep 30 08:31 PM Kid Dynamite wrote:

> yes i understand the theory of accounting for expenses - but you
> guys are crazy if you just nod your head and apply it here.
>
> Thanks for the comment District Banker - but your first sentence
> is my point: the expense is incurred NOW! not over the next three
> years - it's incurred NOW because the FDIC - aka the "Banks' Insurance
> Fund which allows them to operate" is insolvent! The hit should be
> taken now - and if the FDIC does not need more money in the next
> few years, then future earnings for the banks (without FDIC fees
> for the next few years) will look better.]]>
Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:19:20 -0400
I agree, it is not a good sign for either the FDIC (obviously the DIF is hurting at best, and likely insolvent), or banks (who are incurring higher insurance costs because of the increased number of bank failures).

We are in 100% agreement on this. However, nothing in the above paragraph suggests that banks should simply take this massive hit to equity all at once, immediately. GAAP accounting allows for the recognition of this expense as it is incurred - NOT PAID.

Similar to a deferred tax asset, there is value in this prepaid expense line. There are circumstances where the prepaid expense line may be accelerated - for example if the FDIC comes with their hands out yet again. However likely that may be (and I agree that this almost certainly will happen), it has not happened YET, and thus - GAAP accounting should be applied.


On Sep 30 08:31 PM Kid Dynamite wrote:

> yes i understand the theory of accounting for expenses - but you
> guys are crazy if you just nod your head and apply it here.
>
> Thanks for the comment District Banker - but your first sentence
> is my point: the expense is incurred NOW! not over the next three
> years - it's incurred NOW because the FDIC - aka the "Banks' Insurance
> Fund which allows them to operate" is insolvent! The hit should be
> taken now - and if the FDIC does not need more money in the next
> few years, then future earnings for the banks (without FDIC fees
> for the next few years) will look better.]]>
The Hard Truth, Courtesy of the FDIC http://seekingalpha.com/article/164066-the-hard-truth-courtesy-of-the-fdic?source=feed#comment-697181 697181
I realize that C will have $1 b less today (not $333mm less) - but this is a balance sheet item, not a cash flow statement.

Further, while this isn't a great deal for the banks (because they will have a zero-yielding asset on their books), at the end of the day it is still better than paying MORE in deposit insurance premiums via special assessments.

Finally, it's not a bad deal for the FDIC because they're essentially getting an interest-free loan/advance.

Finally, this is not an attempt to "hide" the insolvency of the bank industry, but rather give the deposit insurance fund the necessary capital to work through today's bank failures.

I am as negative as anyone on the US Bank & Thrift sector, but this idea is definately not the worst to come out of Washington DC in the last few months. ]]>
Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:25:57 -0400
I realize that C will have $1 b less today (not $333mm less) - but this is a balance sheet item, not a cash flow statement.

Further, while this isn't a great deal for the banks (because they will have a zero-yielding asset on their books), at the end of the day it is still better than paying MORE in deposit insurance premiums via special assessments.

Finally, it's not a bad deal for the FDIC because they're essentially getting an interest-free loan/advance.

Finally, this is not an attempt to "hide" the insolvency of the bank industry, but rather give the deposit insurance fund the necessary capital to work through today's bank failures.

I am as negative as anyone on the US Bank & Thrift sector, but this idea is definately not the worst to come out of Washington DC in the last few months. ]]>
It's Time to Call a Housing Bottom http://seekingalpha.com/article/163998-it-s-time-to-call-a-housing-bottom?source=feed#comment-697161 697161 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:17:15 -0400 What’s My Payment? http://seekingalpha.com/article/160886-whats-my-payment?source=feed#comment-670871 670871 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:24:29 -0400 M3 Funds: U.S. Banking Sector Remains Undercapitalized http://seekingalpha.com/article/135980-m3-funds-u-s-banking-sector-remains-undercapitalized?source=feed#comment-670727 670727
Thanks!


On May 08 06:07 PM sethmcs wrote:

> Funny I am up 45% on FNB and want it to go down to buy more. I feel
> the same thing about FNB that Warren Buffett feels about Wells Fargo.
> FNB is a good regional customer oriented bank. I will buy more between
> $6.50 and $7.00 for a long-term dividend investment. I am a very
> satisfied customer of this bank.]]>
Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:35:53 -0400
Thanks!


On May 08 06:07 PM sethmcs wrote:

> Funny I am up 45% on FNB and want it to go down to buy more. I feel
> the same thing about FNB that Warren Buffett feels about Wells Fargo.
> FNB is a good regional customer oriented bank. I will buy more between
> $6.50 and $7.00 for a long-term dividend investment. I am a very
> satisfied customer of this bank.]]>
Five Midget Banks I'm Watching http://seekingalpha.com/article/157074-five-midget-banks-i-m-watching?source=feed#comment-637102 637102
The closest piece of relevant info you posted is P/Book - which no bank investors look at (we all look at P/Tangible Book). If you have to ask the difference, you shouldn't be investing in any financials, and certainly not banks.

On what basis would you say that FITB was the riskiest buy?

]]>
Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:53:18 -0400
The closest piece of relevant info you posted is P/Book - which no bank investors look at (we all look at P/Tangible Book). If you have to ask the difference, you shouldn't be investing in any financials, and certainly not banks.

On what basis would you say that FITB was the riskiest buy?

]]>
The Case for Shorting Bank of America http://seekingalpha.com/article/156984-the-case-for-shorting-bank-of-america?source=feed#comment-637093 637093
Please.... bandwagons abound on this thread. ]]>
Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:39:11 -0400
Please.... bandwagons abound on this thread. ]]>
The Case for Shorting Bank of America http://seekingalpha.com/article/156984-the-case-for-shorting-bank-of-america?source=feed#comment-636457 636457
As for your comment on Lewis, I agree that it could actually take some overhang off of the stock - but that's difficult to quantify/measure. Could go either way.

Bear markets never (EVER) go straight down, and banks are renegotiating CRE loans at a furious pace. You keep loading up... I need someone on the other end of my short sells!


On Aug 19 10:34 AM JosephN wrote:

> Actually, its because of BAC's exposure to california real estate
> that I believe it is a buy. Its one reason I think BAC, JPM, and
> WFC have all had nice runs. Exposure to california home real estate
> is now a positive rather than a negative in my opinion.
>
> I live in Orange County, CA. Probably one of the 'worst' areas of
> the housing bubble pop and I'm telling you it is over with here.
> People are buying or refinancing and the banks exposed to the market
> here will do very well on fees. I've even heard people are flipping
> foreclosures after only a few weeks from buying them at auction for
> 20-30% profits.
>
> If Lewis were to go I suspect there would be a pop up in price rather
> than a pop down. So I'm not worried there either. Commercial real
> estate so far has been a red herring for keeping people out of the
> financials while others (like me) loaded up, but so far so good.
> Only the closing of the car dealerships really has me worried on
> that front, as these dealerships often occupy large amounts of prime
> land in central locations.
>
> In any case, if you think 'insane to short BAC' is a little over
> the top that certainly is your opinion. Short interest in BAC looks
> to be around 1%, so maybe we could just agree that it looks like
> the smart money isn't taking the short side on BAC here.
>
> On Aug 19 10:10 AM District Banker wrote:]]>
Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:04:59 -0400
As for your comment on Lewis, I agree that it could actually take some overhang off of the stock - but that's difficult to quantify/measure. Could go either way.

Bear markets never (EVER) go straight down, and banks are renegotiating CRE loans at a furious pace. You keep loading up... I need someone on the other end of my short sells!


On Aug 19 10:34 AM JosephN wrote:

> Actually, its because of BAC's exposure to california real estate
> that I believe it is a buy. Its one reason I think BAC, JPM, and
> WFC have all had nice runs. Exposure to california home real estate
> is now a positive rather than a negative in my opinion.
>
> I live in Orange County, CA. Probably one of the 'worst' areas of
> the housing bubble pop and I'm telling you it is over with here.
> People are buying or refinancing and the banks exposed to the market
> here will do very well on fees. I've even heard people are flipping
> foreclosures after only a few weeks from buying them at auction for
> 20-30% profits.
>
> If Lewis were to go I suspect there would be a pop up in price rather
> than a pop down. So I'm not worried there either. Commercial real
> estate so far has been a red herring for keeping people out of the
> financials while others (like me) loaded up, but so far so good.
> Only the closing of the car dealerships really has me worried on
> that front, as these dealerships often occupy large amounts of prime
> land in central locations.
>
> In any case, if you think 'insane to short BAC' is a little over
> the top that certainly is your opinion. Short interest in BAC looks
> to be around 1%, so maybe we could just agree that it looks like
> the smart money isn't taking the short side on BAC here.
>
> On Aug 19 10:10 AM District Banker wrote:]]>
Property Values - Eight Key Charts http://seekingalpha.com/article/156993-property-values-eight-key-charts?source=feed#comment-636449 636449

On Aug 19 10:29 AM nym wrote:

> It seems to me that the affordability chart reflects: large turnover
> in certain states (CA, NV, AZ etc.), mostly of in the bottom half
> of the market on distress (foreclosure et al.) sales. Your results
> may vary. Also, note that the source is NAR, National Association
> of Realators: guess what butters their bread.]]>
Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:59:02 -0400

On Aug 19 10:29 AM nym wrote:

> It seems to me that the affordability chart reflects: large turnover
> in certain states (CA, NV, AZ etc.), mostly of in the bottom half
> of the market on distress (foreclosure et al.) sales. Your results
> may vary. Also, note that the source is NAR, National Association
> of Realators: guess what butters their bread.]]>
The Case for Shorting Bank of America http://seekingalpha.com/article/156984-the-case-for-shorting-bank-of-america?source=feed#comment-636360 636360
I agree, on a TBV basis, BAC is not that expensive. (As an aside to the author - TBV multiples are how bank investors look at these animals today - NOT P/E multiples.) But let's think about WHY BAC might be trading at a discount.... could it be CFC and the exposure to CA real estate that it added to the balance sheet? Could it be the toxic waste dump that was MER? Could it be constant rumors of Lewis being pressured to resign? Could it be the other shoe that is looming: commercial real estate?

In any case, while I agree that when looking at a short, you MUST focus on fundamentals, (and WFC is many attributes of a potential short) - I reject your statement that "you'd be insane to short BAC."

That's just a little over the top.


On Aug 19 08:24 AM JosephN wrote:

> Shorting on technicals is like russian roulette. You have to look
> at the fundamentals.
>
> On fundamentals, BAC is still trading below tangible book value and
> being a huge multinational bank there are money managers that will
> have to buy this bank as the economy turns as they are required to
> match this or that index. Throw in the fact that housing has bottomed
> and the fees from refinancing mortgages for some real earnings power
> and you'd be insane to short BAC.
>
> WFC does look weaker though, trading above tangible book value and
> being USA centric with little overseas exposure. There is also a
> Buffett halo with WFC for what that might be worth. Maybe you could
> squeeze a small profit here on the short side.
>
> Really though, shorting banks was last year's trade. This year's
> trade is to buy and hold the financials tight.
>
> (long BAC)]]>
Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:10:42 -0400
I agree, on a TBV basis, BAC is not that expensive. (As an aside to the author - TBV multiples are how bank investors look at these animals today - NOT P/E multiples.) But let's think about WHY BAC might be trading at a discount.... could it be CFC and the exposure to CA real estate that it added to the balance sheet? Could it be the toxic waste dump that was MER? Could it be constant rumors of Lewis being pressured to resign? Could it be the other shoe that is looming: commercial real estate?

In any case, while I agree that when looking at a short, you MUST focus on fundamentals, (and WFC is many attributes of a potential short) - I reject your statement that "you'd be insane to short BAC."

That's just a little over the top.


On Aug 19 08:24 AM JosephN wrote:

> Shorting on technicals is like russian roulette. You have to look
> at the fundamentals.
>
> On fundamentals, BAC is still trading below tangible book value and
> being a huge multinational bank there are money managers that will
> have to buy this bank as the economy turns as they are required to
> match this or that index. Throw in the fact that housing has bottomed
> and the fees from refinancing mortgages for some real earnings power
> and you'd be insane to short BAC.
>
> WFC does look weaker though, trading above tangible book value and
> being USA centric with little overseas exposure. There is also a
> Buffett halo with WFC for what that might be worth. Maybe you could
> squeeze a small profit here on the short side.
>
> Really though, shorting banks was last year's trade. This year's
> trade is to buy and hold the financials tight.
>
> (long BAC)]]>
Property Values - Eight Key Charts http://seekingalpha.com/article/156993-property-values-eight-key-charts?source=feed#comment-636353 636353
In normal times, this is good practice, as foreclosures are driven by personal events (divorce, loss of employment, etc) - and are not necessarily indicative of true pricing trends.

Today, however - foreclosures are driven by massive price declines, and aggressive borrowing (I-O, Pay-Option ARM, etc) that only works when prices appreciate. Ignoring foreclosure sales today is ignoring meaningful data from numerous markets across the US: CA, FL, MI, GA, Phoenix, Las Vegas & so on...


On Aug 19 05:57 AM Andrew Butter wrote:

> Nice clear article.
>
> Don't agree 60% peak to trough the extrapolation (red line) on the
> Shiller chart is not correct, the correct extrapolation is roughly
> the line of nominal GDP per housing unit.
>
> My analysis says 40% peak to trough, nearly there.]]>
Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:03:36 -0400
In normal times, this is good practice, as foreclosures are driven by personal events (divorce, loss of employment, etc) - and are not necessarily indicative of true pricing trends.

Today, however - foreclosures are driven by massive price declines, and aggressive borrowing (I-O, Pay-Option ARM, etc) that only works when prices appreciate. Ignoring foreclosure sales today is ignoring meaningful data from numerous markets across the US: CA, FL, MI, GA, Phoenix, Las Vegas & so on...


On Aug 19 05:57 AM Andrew Butter wrote:

> Nice clear article.
>
> Don't agree 60% peak to trough the extrapolation (red line) on the
> Shiller chart is not correct, the correct extrapolation is roughly
> the line of nominal GDP per housing unit.
>
> My analysis says 40% peak to trough, nearly there.]]>
Huron Consulting: Getting Too Close to Its Roots http://seekingalpha.com/article/155184-huron-consulting-getting-too-close-to-its-roots?source=feed#comment-623786 623786 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:47:06 -0400 Incompetent Bank Regulation Hits Customers Hard http://seekingalpha.com/article/155133-incompetent-bank-regulation-hits-customers-hard?source=feed#comment-623626 623626 PBKS) in Baltimore, MD was notorious for this type of activity. I do not know if M&T Bank (who purchased PBKS) employs these tactics or not.

It is legal for banks to do this - at least in the implicit sense. This has been commonplace in the banking sector for years, and the regulators are well aware of it. I've never heard of a bank being sued over such practice - but hey - this IS America...]]>
Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:08:22 -0400 PBKS) in Baltimore, MD was notorious for this type of activity. I do not know if M&T Bank (who purchased PBKS) employs these tactics or not.

It is legal for banks to do this - at least in the implicit sense. This has been commonplace in the banking sector for years, and the regulators are well aware of it. I've never heard of a bank being sued over such practice - but hey - this IS America...]]>
Incompetent Bank Regulation Hits Customers Hard http://seekingalpha.com/article/155133-incompetent-bank-regulation-hits-customers-hard?source=feed#comment-623502 623502
My suggestions would be as follows:

a) live within your means (don't spend more than you have)

If you satisfy criteria (a), then:

b) keep better track of your finances (know your balance)

If you satisfy (a) and (b), then you are most likely not experiencing these types of fees. However, as a precaution, you may want to:

c) leave a little extra as a cushion in your primary operating account

Now, you probably don't want to be 'forced' to leave a little extra in your account because most transaction accounts pay little/no interest. So your money is elsewhere (brokerage accounts, CDs, MMDAs, etc) earning a better return. Just realize that the consequence of chasing a bit of extra yield is that you may (if you dont keep track of your finances) incur a NSF fee when you spend more than is in your account.

I fully concur that this is an area that should be regulated. However, this is a game where the rules are laid out in advance to the consumer, and the outcomes are predictable - so they should be factored in to one's behavior.]]>
Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:56:37 -0400
My suggestions would be as follows:

a) live within your means (don't spend more than you have)

If you satisfy criteria (a), then:

b) keep better track of your finances (know your balance)

If you satisfy (a) and (b), then you are most likely not experiencing these types of fees. However, as a precaution, you may want to:

c) leave a little extra as a cushion in your primary operating account

Now, you probably don't want to be 'forced' to leave a little extra in your account because most transaction accounts pay little/no interest. So your money is elsewhere (brokerage accounts, CDs, MMDAs, etc) earning a better return. Just realize that the consequence of chasing a bit of extra yield is that you may (if you dont keep track of your finances) incur a NSF fee when you spend more than is in your account.

I fully concur that this is an area that should be regulated. However, this is a game where the rules are laid out in advance to the consumer, and the outcomes are predictable - so they should be factored in to one's behavior.]]>
Incompetent Bank Regulation Hits Customers Hard http://seekingalpha.com/article/155133-incompetent-bank-regulation-hits-customers-hard?source=feed#comment-623431 623431
As for overdraft fees on debit cards - my feeling is that nearly all consumers are aware of this practice. As you noted above, the majority of these fees come from only 1/8 of accounts - indicating that people are repeating this behavior. Whose fault is that? Bank of America (not my bank, and I do not want to defend them), for example, will give you one "free" NSF fee if you go into a branch to ask for it. Thus, the consumer can learn the system at no cost to himself. If he repeats that behavior, he is responsible for the consequences. ]]>
Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:22:49 -0400
As for overdraft fees on debit cards - my feeling is that nearly all consumers are aware of this practice. As you noted above, the majority of these fees come from only 1/8 of accounts - indicating that people are repeating this behavior. Whose fault is that? Bank of America (not my bank, and I do not want to defend them), for example, will give you one "free" NSF fee if you go into a branch to ask for it. Thus, the consumer can learn the system at no cost to himself. If he repeats that behavior, he is responsible for the consequences. ]]>
Has Freddie Found Its Bottom? http://seekingalpha.com/article/154928-has-freddie-found-its-bottom?source=feed#comment-623085 623085 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:30:29 -0400 Stress Tests: Stressful Enough - And a Waste of Time http://seekingalpha.com/article/154176-stress-tests-stressful-enough-and-a-waste-of-time?source=feed#comment-617877 617877 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:21:01 -0400 Huron Consulting Group's Crash: Red Flags Abound http://seekingalpha.com/article/153992-huron-consulting-group-s-crash-red-flags-abound?source=feed#comment-617863 617863
There's one major flaw in your logic: the UBS analyst in which you seem to be abundantly confident had a 'buy' on the stock at $45... and it went to $15. Doesn't sound like a 'buy' to me. Now, he feels like an idiot and cant whipsaw his rating on the stock around ("buy at $45, hold/sell at $15"). Happens all the time on the sell-side. ]]>
Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:11:32 -0400
There's one major flaw in your logic: the UBS analyst in which you seem to be abundantly confident had a 'buy' on the stock at $45... and it went to $15. Doesn't sound like a 'buy' to me. Now, he feels like an idiot and cant whipsaw his rating on the stock around ("buy at $45, hold/sell at $15"). Happens all the time on the sell-side. ]]>
Seacoast Banking's Ill Will http://seekingalpha.com/article/153891-seacoast-banking-s-ill-will?source=feed#comment-616178 616178 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:37:26 -0400