Among this week's editors' picks: an article on the increasing funding costs at some large U.S. banks, and a feature on the financial performance of banks and credit unions in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Performance among banks, credit unions diverges in Q4'17
Short-term interest rates rose throughout 2017 and long-term rates rebounded from recent lows in the latter half of the year.
Majority of assets in hands of older community banks, credit unions
Many community banks and credit unions established in the '90s have vanished from the U.S. commercial landscape, while startups since 2000 have fallen off due to regulation and the financial crisis.
Higher funding costs loom as deposit betas jump at some large US banks
Funding costs could increase significantly in 2018 after deposit rates at some larger regional banks rose in 2017 at a pace not seen since the last tightening cycle, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence's 2018 US Bank Market Report.
In values-banking landscape, profitability not the only objective
Executives at a handful of "values"-based community banks say their focus on social and environmental issues is a competitive advantage. But as these banks are growing assets faster than many peers, their profitability is sometimes lagging.
CD rates at regional banks continue to closely follow Fed rate hikes
While community banks have reduced their exposures to certificates of deposits, larger regional banks continue to grow their CD balances and have passed on much of the Federal Reserve's rate hikes to their customers.
