Richard's Rapid Fire - February 24, 2017

February 23, 2017

CBA LIVE: Record Attendance on the Way

Blowing past our year over year attendance numbers, we are on pace for record attendance at CBA LIVE 2017: Where [ it ] Begins. With a sold-out exhibit hall, a lively debate between banks and FinTech scheduled, and a speaker lineup featuring U.S. Bank CEO Richard Davis, Salesforce Einstein VP of Marketing Jim Sinai, and entrepreneur and Super Bowl MVP Roger Staubach, you won’t want to miss this year’s conference. Register today to join us at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas, April 3-5. I’ll see you there – cowboy boots and western wear will be prominent.

 

Calling CBA Members: Consumers Need Our Help on Interchange

Did you catch this? The Wall Street Journal published a striking, but not shocking, set of statistics detailing the benefits consumers have lost out on as a result of the Durbin Amendment, such as free checking. According to Moebs Services, only 52.8% of financial institutions are capable of offering free checking accounts – down from 74% prior to Durbin. Remember when retailers promised consumers savings if Durbin was passed? I sure do. Well according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, only 2% of merchants surveyed said they reduced prices as a result of Durbin while 23% raised them. Without question, consumers have borne the brunt of this poor policy.

With Financial reform on the docket for 2017, CBA’s members are in a position to further help American consumers by contacting their congressional representatives to request the Durbin Amendment be repealed. You may do so here.

 

What is More Striking than DOW 20,000? Over 1.3 Trillion in Student Debt

The stock market isn’t alone in hitting record highs. However, unlike the euphoria experienced from a bump in investment dollars, rising student debt is of critical concern to countless students and families. Per the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, total student debt has hit $1.3 Trillion, a record high for the 18th consecutive year, and doubled since 2009. All the while total household debt has dropped by 1 percent. With well over 90 percent of student loan debt held by the Department of Education, the federal government is acting more like a predatory lender than an institution concerned about the financial well-being of consumers. Unlike private student lenders, the Department of Education fails to provide consumers with clear disclosures so they may “know before they owe.” You may read my op-ed in Morning Consult where I call on the Department of Education and CFPB to better assist federal student loan borrowers here.

 

Membership Spotlight: My Visit with EverBank and Black Knight Financial Services

Touching down in Florida this week, I had the pleasure of speaking at EverBank’s IT Leadership Forum. Covering a ton of topics from FinTech to Washington developments, I enjoyed the lively discussion. Thank you John Elton and Kelli Sylvester for the warm welcome. From EverBank, I visited with Black Knight Financial Services, one of CBA’s Premier Sponsors. After meeting with Shelley Leonard, Sandra Madigan, and Chad Powers, the need for next generation banking became increasingly clear – digital and online platforms meet consumer demands. Thank you for hosting me, I will see everyone again soon!

CBA's Richard Hunt speaking this week at EverBank's IT Leadership Forum in Jacksonville, Florida.

 

Non-Bank Lenders Dominating Mortgage Market

This chart by the Washington Post says it all: Non-bank lending has taken over the mortgage market. With the three largest banks in mortgage lending dropping their total market share from 50 percent to 21 percent over a five-year period, non-bank lenders have emerged as the key players in the mortgage market.

Chart provided by the Washington Post

 

Three Things to Know to Be In the Know 

Federal Reserves Eyes Aggressive Rate Increases

Q&A With House Financial Services Chairman Hensarling

CFPB faces Catch-22 on pending arbitration rule

 

Lagniappe

Karen Peetz was named to Wells Fargo’s Board of Directors.

 

The CBA Family gained another member with Arabella Haas. Arabella's mother is Tiffany Haas, CBA's Vice President of Congressional Affairs.