Thursday, May 21, 2009

Worthwhile Message Threads

We're adding what we think are worthwhile discussions on other sites. There are thousands of discussions going on every day, however, very few attempt to actually discuss a legitimate topic. Our attempt is to bring meaningful blogs, discussions, and ideas to the forefront for your review. We've added this section to the top of our sidebar. Please let us know if you find this useful.

Opinions - Banking Changes Coming

Following is an excellent posting for thought:

Big, bigger and too big
http://www.reuters.com/article/dealAtoms/idUS89200451620090515

other stuff

How Sub-prime financed the economic disaster
http://www.energypublisher.com/article.asp?id=19381

More Angry Bank (Citi) Customers
http://madisonparkblogger.blogspot.com/2009/05/you-may-have-noticed-recent-spate-of.html

Crony capitalism has taken root in America
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/eo20090519a2.html

Worst-ranked financial of 19 rated by US Gov't
http://www.socialpicks.com/ideas/show/248743

Temasek and Bank of America - Are we missing something?
http://singaporeenquirer.sg/?p=3762

Friday News - Credit Cards, Huntington, Bank Errors

Credit Card Legislation
See sidebar for more on this topic

Obama signs new rules for credit cards into law
http://www.examiner.com/a-2030250~Obama_signs_new_rules_for_credit_cards_into_law.html

A Good Credit Card Bill . . .
. . . That isn't really needed

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/20/AR2009052003152.html

American Express, Discover May Face Downgrades on New Card Law
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aEUbPwmErR24&refer=home

General Topics

OOPS
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-05-21-voa49.cfm

Bank Stock Appetite? Feeling Full
http://blogs.wsj.com/marketbeat/2009/05/21/bank-stock-appetite-feeling-full/

Regulators seize Florida's BankUnited FSB
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Regulators-seize-Floridas-apf-15323245.html?sec=topStories&pos=1&asset=&ccode=

BankUnited Sale May Signal Shift by FDIC in Bank Buyout Rules
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=azOHOtxuEFJY&refer=us

BankUnited sees Miami expansion, no layoffs
http://www.reuters.com/article/innovationNews/idUSTRE54K6LF20090522

Goldman Blesses Big Banks, Hits Regionals
http://www.thestreet.com/story/10504232/1/goldman-blesses-big-banks-hits-regionals.html?cm_ven=GOOGLEN

Banks Raised Billions, Geithner Says
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/business/economy/21geithner.html?hp

RPT-Banks expect fee bonanza from stock sales spree
http://www.reuters.com/article/newIssuesNews/idUSN2137404620090521

FINRA settles ARS complaints with four firms
http://securitiesarbitration.blogspot.com/2009/05/finra-settles-ars-complaint-with-four.html

Regions

Analysts: Regions could be merger target
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2009/05/18/daily37.html

US Bankcorp / "Wachovia"

U.S. Bancorp Opens Charlotte Office, Hires Ex-Wachovia Bankers
http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3240424

Bank of America

Bank of America promotes Stoltz to Triangle market president
http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2009/05/18/daily56.html

Huntington Bancshares

New Mark-To-Market Accounting Rules Boost Banks' Equity
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200905211618DOWJONESDJONLINE000812_FORTUNE5.htm

Huntington to Raise Capital
http://www.morningstar.ca/globalhome/industry/news.asp?articleid=292685

SunTrust

Initiating SunTrust Banks at Neutral - Credit Suisse comments
http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=957293

Coconut Grove Bank Names Former SunTrust Exec Robert Coords as President and Chief Executive Officer
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/coconut-grove-bank-names-former,834283.shtml

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo CEO on the hot seat
Interview with John Stumpf
http://www.startribune.com/business/45799642.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUss

Wells Fargo Is Asked to Sell, Not Liquidate Hartmarx
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=ay16lNb4qGhY&refer=us

Hartmarx Officially Names Emerisque As "Stalking Horse" Bidder

Couple Says Schwab & Wells Fargo Aided Scam
"It's not my fault" - wahh
http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/05/21/Couple_Says_Schwab_&_Wells_Fargo_Aided_Scam.htm

Foreclosures: New Waves Will Hit
http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewarticle/articleid/3238415

Citi

Citigroup steps up tech cuts to save billions
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/50ed703a-4669-11de-803f-00144feabdc0.html

BB&T

Initiating BB&T at Underperform - Credit Suisse comments
http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=957339

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Bank Stock Picking Challenge

We already have a winner - us!! We never thought it would be so difficult to give away $100, but nobody wanted to play. Maybe we'll try again sometime.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Wednesday Morning News - Credit Card Legislation; Banking

Credit Card Legislation
See Sidebar for More Articles

Dodd: Public Anger Helped To Fuel Bill On Credit Cards
http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=0d1133fa-634f-46ba-9f96-3843e74c02b8

Senate Passes Bill Curtailing Credit Card Industry
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/19/AR2009051901867.html?hpid=topnews

A Look At The Credit Card Overhaul Bill
http://www.thestreet.com/story/10503083/1/a-look-at-the-credit-card-overhaul-bill.html

General

Bank of America, Citigroup Insiders Reap Millions Buying Stock
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aQ.xsUpiZcsY&refer=us

U.S. banks are kept guessing on TARP repayment
http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSTRE54I63820090519

Banks Recovering but Still Face Rough Times
http://www.kiplinger.com/businessresource/forecast/archive/banks_still_face_tough_times_090515.html

Small Banks Continue To Boost TARP-o-Meter
http://www.reuters.com/article/bigMoney/idUS118256949520090519

Kashkari Says ‘Too Big to Fail’ Provides Unfair Edge
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=awWa7u4AM1LY&refer=us

TARP repayments from big banks may start in June
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D989H94O1.htm

TD Bank scores well in mid-Atlantic
PNC, SunTrust PNC rank 7th & 8th
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/05/18/daily39.html

First Financial makes $100M offering
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090519/BIZ01/305190006/1001/BIZ/First+Financial+makes++100M+offering


State Street Bank

In State Street, Government Scores Quiet Bailout Victory
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200905191600DOWJONESDJONLINE000623_FORTUNE5.htm

Bank of America

Bank of America Raises $13.5 Billion In New Share Sale
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200905192047DOWJONESDJONLINE000689_FORTUNE5.htm

Sakwa Leaves Bank of America; Lender Hires UBS REIT Analysts
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=agaSF3qWYQ2w&refer=home

Bank of America Shares Sink On Common Stock Offering
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200905191959DOWJONESDJONLINE000686_FORTUNE5.htm

JP Morgan

JPMorgan shareholders want dividend back
http://www.thestate.com/business-wire/story/793298.html

SunTrust

Notice to All SunTrust Capital IX 7.875% Trust Preferred Series Investors
Class Action Lawsuit - Just what they need

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090519006612&newsLang=en

BB& T

BB&T has cut 26 positions in recent months, bank says
http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009/may/19/191136/bbt-has-cut-26-positions-in-recent-month-bank-says/business/

Regions

Judge files lawsuit against Regions Bankhttp://www.oanow.com/oan/news/national/article/judge_files_lawsuit_against_regions_bank/73149/

Regions Announces $1.25 Billion Capital Raise
http://newsticker.welt.de/?module=smarthouse&id=891811

Monday, May 18, 2009

Tuesday Morning News

Credit Card Legislation
See Sidebar for More News

Consumer protection coming for credit card rules
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/buggs/6428724.html

Credit card backlash bill comes due in U.S. Senate
http://www.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUSN1837268020090518

Four ways consumers could take a hit from new card rules
http://www.marketwatch.com/m/story/5b1b54ce-9db6-4518-8232-97077fc250f4/0

General

More Clients Ready to Switch Banks as Trust Wanes
http://www.financial-planning.com/news/clients-distrust-banks-2661954-1.html

American Express says it will eliminate 4,000 jobs
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/shared-gen/ap/Finance_General/US_American_Express.html

West Roxbury Man Protests Bank Layoffs
http://wbztv.com/local/west.roxbury.protest.2.1011063.html

SunTrust

Anonymous said in our posted comments...
"More cuts to SunTrust Bank happening this week."


SunTrust regroups from risks it took
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/05/17/suntrust0517.html

Morgan Stanley & Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley apply to repay TARP
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gwVjLGTBSgX-WsCgOsgIYpNVWKmQD988U4GG0

Wells Fargo

Did Buffett Blunder on Wells Fargo?
http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2009/05/18/did-buffett-blunder-on-wells-fargo.aspx

Wells names wealth management execs
The haven't canned all of the Wachovia Employees
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/business/story/731681.html

Wells Fargo subsidiary boosts its DC plan operations
http://www.ifawebnews.com/articles/2009/05/18/news/life/doc4a0b0a1735b27021660760.txt

Peoples Bank

Peoples to sell 17 of 19 bank branches
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090518/BIZ01/305180038/Peoples+to+sell+17+of+19+bank+branches

Fifth Third Bancorp, U.S. Bancorp and PNC Financial Services Group

Big local banks boosted lending in March
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090518/BIZ01/905190322/1076/BIZ/Big+local+banks+have+boosted+lending







Sunday, May 17, 2009

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Bankers Forum - Friday Morning News - Credit Card Reform; TARP; Wells Fargo; SunTrust

Credit Card Reform Bill
(See section on sidebar from more news)

Cramdown Versus Credit Cards: What A Difference A President Makes
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/14/cramdown-versus-credit-ca_n_203767.html

Credit card reform bill slows in U.S. Senate
http://uk.reuters.com/article/marketsNewsUS/idUKN1449984520090514

General News

BofA Told To Replace Board With People Who Actually Know About Banking
http://www.businessinsider.com/bofa-told-to-replace-board-with-people-who-actually-know-about-banking-2009-5

Banks Strong-Armed into TARP $
Good Article
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/records-show-full-court-press-behind-banking-bailout/?hp

Bankers, Without Final Rules, Position For TARP Repayment
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200905141328DOWJONESDJONLINE000624_FORTUNE5.htm
Bank execs' new 'stress'
http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/15/news/companies/stress_test_management/?postversion=2009051503

Peoples Bank now open for business
In Ohio?

http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/article/20090515/NEWS01/905150323/1002

Wells Fargo and Bank of America Hired Thousands Of Mortgage Employees Last Quarter
http://www.businessinsider.com/wells-fargo-and-bank-of-america-hired-thousands-of-mortgage-employees-last-quarter-2009-5

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo to pay $312.5M TARP dividend
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/14/ap6424579.html

Hartmarx workers sit-in vote spreads to Rochester, NY
http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/15641/

Price Says Current Market ‘Ideal for Stock Picker’
Says Wells and BBT good bet
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aeC2.DqRofgU&refer=home

Curious Accounting Tactics at Wells Fargo
http://seekingalpha.com/article/136782-curious-accounting-tactics-at-wells-fargo

KeyCorp

KeyCorp Agrees With Holders to Swap Convertible Stock
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=awsYACuEMYI0&refer=us

SunTrust

Johnny B. Moore Jr. to become president, CEO of SunTrust in Memphis
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/may/08/moore-become-ceo-suntrust-bank-memphis/

SunTrust plans $1.25 bln stock sale, dividend cut
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2009/05/15/afx6428524.html


Bank of America

Moody's may upgrade Bank of America rating
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/14/ap6424427.html

Regulators urge Bank of America board overhaul: Report
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/International-Business/Regulators-urge-Bank-of-America-board-overhaul-Report/articleshow/4534734.cms

PNC

PNC latest bank to sell shares to raise capital
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/14/ap6423265.html

CITI

Parsons: White House won't run Citi
http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/13/news/companies/citigroup_chairman_TARP/?postversion=2009051315

Thursday Morning's News

General

U.S. moving ahead on bank oversight
http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/13/news/economy/regulatory_changes/?postversion=2009051313

Paulson Told Bankers to Take U.S. Taxpayer Aid or Be ‘Exposed’
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=auLCYdFyUm5Y&refer=home

What the Bank 'Stress Tests' Tell Us About Commercial Real Estate
http://www.costar.com/News/Article.aspx?id=DA4438A5A1476F915BAB19615FA001C2

How the US govt fixed the bank stress tests
Opinion
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1255832

Soak the Bankers
Yeah, cause we're all RICH!
http://www.reuters.com/article/bigMoney/idUS405545195220090513

Banks could lose more than stress tests show
Risks to BofA and other top lenders come from exotic bets on insurance-like derivative investments.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/business/story/721020.html

Bankers & Brokers Have Learned Nothing From the Current Crisis
http://seekingalpha.com/article/137315-bankers-brokers-have-learned-nothing-from-the-current-crisis

How to Play the Banks After Stress Tests
http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/may2009/pi20090513_608864.htm?chan=investing_investing+index+page_top+stories

Wells Fargo

Why Governments Shouldn’t Run Banks
Excellent article about Hartmarx and Wells Fargo
http://executivesuite.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/why-governments-shouldnt-run-banks/?hp

Bank of America

BofA presses fired staff to give up right to sue
Screw them once, twice...
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE54B4Y520090512

Lewis under pressure from "the man"
http://www.miamiherald.com/business/nation/story/1047099.html

Will Bank of America IPO Merrill Lynch?
http://www.businessinsider.com/will-bank-of-america-ipo-merrill-lynch-2009-5

BB& T

BB&T announces full over-allotment option exercised in common stock offering

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-13-2009/0005025800&EDATE=

SunTrust

SunTrust on losing end of senior bankers’ migration patterns
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-business/suntrust-losing-end-senior-bankers%E2%80%99-migration-patterns

Regions

Executive Appointments
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-business/executive-appointments-117

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Wednesday - Banking News

Wednesday

General

Soak the Bankers
Yeah, cause we're all RICH!
http://www.reuters.com/article/bigMoney/idUS405545195220090513

Wells Fargo

Why Governments Shouldn’t Run Banks
Excellent article about Hartmarx and Wells Fargo
http://executivesuite.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/why-governments-shouldnt-run-banks/?hp

Bank of America

BofA presses fired staff to give up right to sue
Screw them once, twice...
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE54B4Y520090512

BB& T

BB&T to sell 75M shares at $20 each to raise $1.5B

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/13/ap6415215.html

BB&T announces full over-allotment option exercised in common stock offering

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-13-2009/0005025800&EDATE=

SunTrust

SunTrust on losing end of senior bankers’ migration patterns
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-business/suntrust-losing-end-senior-bankers%E2%80%99-migration-patterns

Wednesday Morning

General

Banks could lose more than stress tests show
Risks to BofA and other top lenders come from exotic bets on insurance-like derivative investments.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/business/story/721020.html
Bankers & Brokers Have Learned Nothing From the Current Crisis
http://seekingalpha.com/article/137315-bankers-brokers-have-learned-nothing-from-the-current-crisis
The Stress Test Placebo
http://www.reuters.com/article/bigMoney/idUS90635185720090512
Senators Cut Deal On Credit Card Bill
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/11/AR2009051103192.html?wprss=rss_business
Implications of the Bank Stress Tests
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/douglas-j-elliott/implications-of-the-bank_b_202338.html
Bank Stress Test Allow Some Banks to Repay TARP
http://useconomy.about.com/b/2009/05/11/bank-stress-test-allow-some-banks-to-repay-tarp.htm
TREASURIES-Bonds ease on Bernanke stress-test relief
http://uk.reuters.com/article/marketsNewsUS/idUKN1230139720090512

Wells Fargo


Wells Fargo: Now a Buy
http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/2009/06/discovering_value.html
Wells Fargo is largest home lender in 1Q
http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2009/05/12/wells-fargo-is-largest-home-lender-in-1q/

Bank of America

BofA, other U.S. banks scramble for capital
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN1150611520090512
Will Bank of America IPO Merrill Lynch?
http://www.businessinsider.com/will-bank-of-america-ipo-merrill-lynch-2009-5

SunTrust

BB&T, SunTrust to raise capital through public offering after ‘stress test’
This headline doesn't sound accurate...
http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/news/27628-bb-amp-t-suntrust-to-raise-capital-through-public-offering-after-lsquo-stress-test-rsquo
Bank Cards Reissued Due To Security Breach
http://www.wsmv.com/money/19441827/detail.html
3 to enter Richmond Business Hall of Fame
C.T. Hill
http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/business/local/article/BBBB13_20090512-213827/267324/

Regions

Executive Appointments
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-business/executive-appointments-117

Bank Stock Picking Contest - Rules

As promised, these are the "final" rules for entering the contest. Rules have been updated from prior post.

Contest starts with stock prices as of close (4:00 pm) on Tuesday, May 19th, 2009. All entries will be due by 6:00 am Eastern Time on Wednesday morning, May 20th, 2009. Contestants will use $100,000 to pick 10 issues. Those issues will consist of the nine banks that are required to raise capital (excluding GMAC) plus one "real" bank from the list below that underwent the stress test. Therefore, your list must be made up of the following:

Bank of America; Citigroup; Wells Fargo; Fifth Third; KeyCorp; PNC Financial; Regions Financial; SunTrust; Morgan Stanley;

PLUS ONE of the following:

JP Morgan Chase
BB&T
US Bankcorp
Bank of New York Mellon

Because diversification is important, no one issue may have a greater allocation (at time of choosing) than 30%. No issue may have less than 3%. Final value of your allocation after 3 months and 1 week on the close of regular trading (4:00 pm) on Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 will determine the winner. There will be no trading allowed of the issues between this time. Winner will receive a $100 cash prize for their efforts along with bragging rights.

ONLY ONE ENTRY PER PERSON PLEASE
PARTICIPANTS MUST BE U.S. CITIZENS
ONE PRIZE WILL BE AWARDED
ALL DECISIONS MADE BY US ARE FINAL

If participation warrants, we will allow participants to re-allocate their portfolios at this time to participate in a second round of competition. There will be two winners consisting of best overall 6 months (approximately) performance and best second round (3 months) performance. If too many participants drop out of the 6 month competition, an overall 6 month contest will not be played. New (or old) participants will be eligible in the second round.

In order to play you must provide the following information. This information should be sent via email to Bankersforum@gmail.com.

  • Names of Securities
  • Allocation per security (in $ or % - must equal $100,000 or 100%)
  • A return email address for communication purposes (create a new address if you don't want to use your real one).
  • Your zip code or other singular identifying information. Prize money will be mailed only to this matching zip code or singular identity (paypal account for instance).
  • The first two numbers of your home street address or P.O. Box (must also coordinate with the mailing address for prize money - not required if paypal or similar information is used).
  • An alias name associated with your picks. We'll use this to communicate on our blog ongoing results and winner(s).

Once this information is provided, your picks will be available to others via Google Docs. NO personal information will be made public; only your alias and picks will be shown.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please write to us at bankersforum@gmail.com. GOOD LUCK!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Stressed Bank Stock Picking Contest

Open challenge for 3 and 6 months total returns for the banks that are required to raise capital. Prize money will be given for the winners!

Preliminary rules: Contest starts with stock prices as of close on Tuesday, May 19th. All entries will be due by 6:00 am Eastern Time on Wednesday morning, May 20th. Contestants will be use $100,000 to pick 10 issues. Those issues will consist of the nine banks that are required to raise capital (GMAC doesn't count) plus one "real" bank from the remaining 10 that underwent the stress test. Real bank does NOT include American Express, Capital One, GMAC (previously noted), Goldman Sachs, MetLife, or State Street Bank. Contestants will allocate their $100,000 amoung the 10 banks. However, because diversification is important, no one issue may have a greater allocation (at time of choosing) than 30%. No issue may have less than 3%. Results will be calculated 3 months later. More info later! Add any comments.