The hottest Banking Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Finance Topics
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Concoda β€’ 437 implied HN points β€’ 18 Jun 23
  1. The repo market plays a crucial role in providing liquidity to the financial system globally.
  2. The repo market structure involves lenders like money market funds connecting with borrowers like hedge funds through various intermediaries.
  3. Recent changes in the repo market dynamics may lead to the Fed utilizing it as a tool for market stimulation.
CalculatedRisk Newsletter β€’ 110 implied HN points β€’ 14 Dec 23
  1. The Federal Reserve is expected to announce multiple rate cuts in 2024.
  2. Goldman Sachs economists predict three consecutive 25 basis points cuts in March, May, and June.
  3. Market participants are pricing in rate cuts that will bring the Fed Funds target range down to 4.50% to 4.75% by June 2024.
The Fintech Blueprint β€’ 491 implied HN points β€’ 19 Apr 23
  1. Apple has launched a Savings account with a 4.15% yield through Goldman Sachs, creating a disruptive financial product.
  2. Goldman Sachs plays a significant role in the product's distribution, benefiting from Apple's massive consumer base.
  3. Other big tech companies like Google, PayPal, and Ant Financial have also made inroads into financial services, showcasing a trend towards tech-powered banking.
Net Interest β€’ 496 implied HN points β€’ 10 Mar 23
  1. The demise of Silicon Valley Bank was caused by a collapse due to interest rate risk management and significant deposit outflows.
  2. Silicon Valley Bank's strategy of investing in securities was affected when rising interest rates led to significant unrealized losses, making the bank technically insolvent.
  3. The bank faced challenges in managing deposit outflows and was unable to satisfy demands due to a concentrated customer base and limited options like tapping into its securities portfolio.
Fintech Business Weekly β€’ 267 implied HN points β€’ 27 Aug 23
  1. The smallest bank in Tennessee saw significant growth by leveraging BaaS partnerships, but this rapid expansion may raise concerns about the bank's ability to manage increased complexity.
  2. The Herrington family behind Lineage Bank has a history of running banks, facing challenges and controversies in their previous ventures.
  3. Synapse, a key BaaS partner of Lineage Bank, has faced regulatory scrutiny and may be pressuring Lineage to approve more programs, highlighting risks in complex financial partnerships.
The Dollar Endgame β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 29 Nov 23
  1. Japan adjusted its bond yield control policy in an effort to curb interest rates, showing the delicate balance between stimulating the economy and managing debt.
  2. The United States is experiencing increases in national debt and a housing market slowdown due to rising interest rates impacting new home and car sales.
  3. Gold prices have been rising as a safe haven investment, influenced by a weakening dollar and central banks acquiring significant amounts of gold, serving as a potential indicator of future monetary debasement.
Geopolitical Economy Report β€’ 458 implied HN points β€’ 07 May 23
  1. Economist Michael Hudson discusses the collapse of four US banks in two months, including First Republic Bank being taken over by JP Morgan Chase, highlighting the deep ties between government regulators and bankers.
  2. The collapse of banks like First Republic Bank can be attributed to high ratios of uninsured deposits and risky long-term mortgages, demonstrating systemic issues in the banking sector.
  3. The banking crisis is a result of the government's bailout policies, with large banks like JP Morgan Chase being given favorable deals despite being rated as the riskiest, leading to the undue burden on the economy and the potential for a deep financial collapse.
Dan Davies - "Back of Mind" β€’ 393 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jun 23
  1. The concept of 'change of valuation basis' in business can indicate stress and financial strain
  2. Valuing buildings can vary depending on the purpose, whether it's for selling, lending, or immediate sale
  3. Understanding 'change of valuation basis' sheds light on liquidity, solvency, and the socially constructed nature of financial reality
Fintech Business Weekly β€’ 126 implied HN points β€’ 19 Nov 23
  1. Blue Ridge Bank is looking to raise capital and reduce its exposure to banking-as-a-service and fintech.
  2. States like California and Wisconsin are regulating earned wage access, which is positive but adds compliance challenges.
  3. Plaid has launched a subsidiary as a consumer reporting agency, moving towards offering cash flow underwriting services.
Geopolitical Economy Report β€’ 418 implied HN points β€’ 14 Apr 23
  1. Before the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, it lobbied to remove regulations and then received a bailout, benefiting billionaires. Americans are angry at the corruption.
  2. US banks collapsed in March 2023, leading to massive bailouts for wealthy depositors, showing a pattern of blatant corruption and regulatory capture in Washington.
  3. The banking crisis is far from over as unrealized losses on investment securities have reached over $600 billion, indicating a potential larger collapse ahead due to rising market interest rates.
Fintech Business Weekly β€’ 170 implied HN points β€’ 24 Sep 23
  1. Eco shut down its banking app and laid off its team as it focuses on new money initiatives with cryptocurrency.
  2. Goldman Sachs is near selling GreenSky, indicating a bleak future for its "Platform Solutions" division.
  3. CFPB warns that lenders using AI must provide specific reasons for adverse actions and initiates rulemaking to remove medical debt from credit reports.
Geopolitical Economy Report β€’ 358 implied HN points β€’ 15 Mar 23
  1. Economist Michael Hudson discussed the collapse of US banks, noting similarities to the 2008 financial crisis and the reliance on government bailouts.
  2. The Federal Reserve's handling of interest rates and bailouts in response to bank collapses indicates systemic issues in the financial sector.
  3. Derivatives, specifically highly leveraged bets, are looming as a significant risk for the banking sector and could trigger the next big crash.
The Dollar Endgame β€’ 339 implied HN points β€’ 12 May 23
  1. There is a financial crisis brewing with banks collapsing and facing liquidity issues, leading to a rapid withdrawal of funds from the system.
  2. Banks like Silicon Valley Bank have made risky investments with high-end clients, creating vulnerabilities in the financial sector.
  3. The Federal Reserve's policies have inadvertently caused a drain on traditional banks, pushing money into shadow banks and triggering a potential chain of bank failures.
The Dollar Endgame β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 07 Oct 23
  1. There exists a secret financial system, the Eurodollar System, that operates outside traditional financial regulations and could impact the global economy significantly.
  2. In the history of banking, innovations like private banks and clearing systems arose to address challenges like widely circulated banknotes and redemption issues.
  3. The Federal Reserve was created based on existing reserve bank systems, adding the revolutionary concept of the money printer and bank reserves, paving the way for expansion of credit creation.
Without Warning β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 04 Sep 23
  1. The FDIC is primarily funded by banking industry fees, not congressional appropriation.
  2. During the Global Financial Crisis, the FDIC did not borrow money from the Fed but instead used clever financial maneuvers like prepayments to maintain liquidity.
  3. The FDIC may be utilizing the Fed's loans as a form of financing, with evidence suggesting that FDIC guarantees are used to back these loans, allowing for liquidity creation.
Geopolitical Economy Report β€’ 259 implied HN points β€’ 25 Jun 23
  1. The US's debt situation is a small part of the global debt puzzle, with rising interest rates creating challenges not only for the US but also for poorer countries dependent on dollar debt.
  2. The debt deal exacerbates the unproductive nature of debt as it has been used to replace income for individuals and constrain companies from expansion and investment in productive capacity.
  3. The financial system will face challenges including declining value of US treasuries impacting banking system resilience, inflation persisting, and US dollar losing hegemony due to rising debt and market liquidity issues.
Fintech Business Weekly β€’ 237 implied HN points β€’ 09 Jul 23
  1. Fintech lenders rely heavily on conventional credit scores like FICO and possibly overcharge riskier borrowers.
  2. Fintech's main 'innovation' is serving borrowers banks reject by charging higher interest rates.
  3. Goldman Sachs is looking to offload its Apple partnership, showcasing the shifting landscape of fintech engagements.
Value Investing Substack β€’ 235 implied HN points β€’ 09 Jul 23
  1. Capital One's FY22 Annual Report MD&A had an inspiring and charismatic tone unlike other companies' reports.
  2. The MD&A highlighted Capital One's empathetic approach to understanding and enriching customer lives.
  3. Capital One's focus on technological transformation and anticipating future industry changes set them apart in the banking sector.
Known Unknowns β€’ 275 implied HN points β€’ 03 Apr 23
  1. Interest rates may not return to normal, so be cautious. Collective DC plans might not be as ideal as they seem.
  2. Don't expect a recession to automatically solve inflation issues; it may not work as expected.
  3. Inflation brings uncertainty, making high real yields essential, and planning for Social Security reforms could involve risky collective DC plans.
Arpitrage β€’ 261 implied HN points β€’ 22 May 23
  1. Commercial real estate faces challenges with rising costs and falling revenue, impacting banks.
  2. Investors should be cautious due to declining equity valuations in office REITs and CMBX market trends.
  3. Smaller banks are more exposed to commercial real estate loans, potentially facing risks in a challenging market.
Fintech Business Weekly β€’ 133 implied HN points β€’ 10 Sep 23
  1. The OCC's Chief Fintech Officer mysteriously disappeared from his role, raising questions about his background and qualifications.
  2. CFPB Director highlights Apple and Google's control over mobile payments, calling out potential anti-competitive practices.
  3. FDIC's Q2 Banking Profile shows declining net income, slightly reduced net interest margins, and continued unrealized losses in banks' securities portfolios.
The Sunday Morning Post β€’ 117 implied HN points β€’ 24 Sep 23
  1. Banks are tightening lending standards due to economic uncertainty and risk concerns
  2. Banks are responding by decreasing loan-to-value ratios, adding interest rate premiums, and shortening loan maturities
  3. Borrowing money from banks will become tougher in the coming months due to higher interest rates and stricter underwriting standards
Without Warning β€’ 196 implied HN points β€’ 05 Jul 23
  1. SVB's business model relies heavily on uninsured deposits to support the innovation sector.
  2. The narrative around SVB's challenges involves blaming the Fed for its interest rate policies and the impact on bank assets and liabilities.
  3. The uniqueness of SVB's model in banking the Silicon Valley innovation economy raises questions about regulatory changes and potential consequences for American innovation.