Comments on: Endangered financial species: U.S. community banks http://blogs.reuters.com/breakingviews/2010/12/22/endangered-financial-species-u-s-community-banks/ Sun, 28 Apr 2013 15:49:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: mcgintyma http://blogs.reuters.com/breakingviews/2010/12/22/endangered-financial-species-u-s-community-banks/comment-page-1/#comment-5498 mcgintyma Thu, 23 Dec 2010 21:40:49 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/columns/?p=4920#comment-5498 George Bailey working at BofA would be just like going to work for Mister Potter. George loaned money to people based on the strength of their character, not their fico score. Try to get a load under today's lending guidelines. I just don't think Mr Martini would have qualified. That is where the value is in Community Banks should be, people lending the communities' savings to the local people where it will do the most good for the community. George didn't make a lot of money but he was the richest man on Bedford Falls. George Bailey working at BofA would be just like going to work for Mister Potter.

George loaned money to people based on the strength of their character, not their fico score. Try to get a load under today’s lending guidelines. I just don’t think Mr Martini would have qualified.

That is where the value is in Community Banks should be, people lending the communities’ savings to the local people where it will do the most good for the community.

George didn’t make a lot of money but he was the richest man on Bedford Falls.

]]> By: lowellches http://blogs.reuters.com/breakingviews/2010/12/22/endangered-financial-species-u-s-community-banks/comment-page-1/#comment-5496 lowellches Thu, 23 Dec 2010 19:41:42 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/columns/?p=4920#comment-5496 The comparison of amounts lent is probably misleading. How much of the "loans" were invested in goverment bonds? A great deal, for certain. The demise of regional banks means the demise of many small businesses. Having been a U.S. businessman for some 40 years, I have found the big banks to be NOT accessible. Whenever I have tried, I have ended having to go back to the local or regional banks. And I am a successful businessman. For startups, it is even harder. The regionals/locals provide a valuable service enabling smaller business to function. The comparison of amounts lent is probably misleading. How much of the “loans” were invested in goverment bonds? A great deal, for certain.

The demise of regional banks means the demise of many small businesses. Having been a U.S. businessman for some 40 years, I have found the big banks to be NOT accessible. Whenever I have tried, I have ended having to go back to the local or regional banks. And I am a successful businessman. For startups, it is even harder.

The regionals/locals provide a valuable service enabling smaller business to function.

]]> By: gramps http://blogs.reuters.com/breakingviews/2010/12/22/endangered-financial-species-u-s-community-banks/comment-page-1/#comment-5488 gramps Thu, 23 Dec 2010 06:19:38 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/columns/?p=4920#comment-5488 come on, Cox. We've learned about the big banks. Have a good holiday, buddy. come on, Cox. We’ve learned about the big banks. Have a good holiday, buddy.

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