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Banking

Vol. 20, No. 3,
Third Quarter 2007

Features

Banks' Midyear Status Solid Despite Challenges

Check Changes Prompt Restructuring

Quick Takes

$5 Bill Receives New Design, Features

New HMDA Data Show Market Changes

Atlanta Fed Chief Discusses Markets

Fed Report: Credit Scoring Makes Impact

Information on Subprime Mortgages Proposed

Altig Named Atlanta Fed Research Director

Program to Monitor Subprime Lenders

Borrower-Lender Distance Growing, Research Says

Fed Governor Discusses Views on Hedge Funds

Fed Offers New Mortgage Calculator

Fed Chairman Discusses Policymaking's Effects

Departments

Financial Update Focus

Editor's Note: This publication is posted on a rolling schedule and content will be added throughout the quarter. Feature articles will be available monthly.

Updated September 25, 2007

Features

Real Estate Could Pose Challenges for Some Banks
9/4/2007 - The Southeast's banking industry overall is in good shape, with healthy earnings and capital levels. But upheaval in the region's real estate markets could pose challenges to institutions.

Podcast with Brian Bowling about the banking industry in the Southeast

Latest Fed Check Changes Show Electronic Payments Gaining Speed
7/30/2007 - Responding to the declining number of paper checks, the Federal Reserve System has restructured its check processing infrastructure, pointing out the continued slide in paper check volume and accompanying growth in electronic payments.

Podcast with Rich Oliver on the growth of electronic payments

Quick Takes

$5 Bill Receives New Look, Security Features
9/25/2007 - The $5 bill will have a new look in 2008, including new colors and design elements. The redesign includes a number of features that are less obvious but will increase its security.

New HMDA Data Show Changes in Mortgage Market
9/25/2007 - Recent information released under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act shows the changes taking place in the mortgage market, such as the growth of mortgage companies as lenders of choice.

Atlanta Fed President Discusses Recent Events in Housing, Capital Markets
9/21/2007 - Atlanta Fed President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Lockhart discusses recent events in housing and capital markets and lays out principles to guide his approach to policy in current conditions.

Fed Report: Credit Scoring Likely Contributor to Affordable Credit
9/21/2007 - The Federal Reserve recently submitted a report to Congress on credit scoring. Among its findings are credit scoring's impact on the availability and affordability of credit.

More Detailed Information for Subprime Mortgages Proposed
8/23/2007 - The Federal Reserve Board and other federal financial regulatory agencies have put forth new information that would help consumers better understand the potential financial risks posed by subprime home loans.

Altig Named Atlanta Fed Research Director
7/30/2007 - David E. Altig, currently the vice president and associate director of research at the Cleveland Fed, has been named senior vice president and director of research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

Pilot Project Aims to Improve Subprime Lending Supervision
7/25/2007 - A new program will evaluate and assess the lending practices of some nondepository lenders with large subprime mortgage operations to ensure their compliance with consumer protection regulations.

For Underserved Areas, Borrower-Lender Distance Increasing
7/25/2007 - In recent years, the distance between bank lenders and their small business borrowers has increased, and today borrowers in historically underserved areas are farther away from their lenders, Atlanta Fed research shows.

Gov. Warsh: Marketplace Best Discipline for Hedge Funds
7/18/2007 - Federal Reserve Gov. Kevin Warsh recently told Congress that while hedge funds present risk management challenges, the market provides necessary discipline. He added that the Fed and other agencies are monitoring institutions' exposure to risk.

Federal Reserve Offers Online Mortgage Calculator
7/17/2007 - Making the right mortgage decision is important. For consumers looking for the mortgage that best suits their needs and budget, this recently introduced calculator will simplify comparison shopping.

Bernanke Discusses Monetary Policy, Finance
7/16/2007 - At a June conference, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke spoke about monetary policy and its effects on banking and the overall economy.