“Without geography, you’re nowhere.” —Jimmy Buffett

You’ve Come to the Right Place
Aside from serving as a potential source of balance sheet growth, a new geographic market represents a prime, but increasingly rare opportunity to generate funds at the lowest possible marginal cost. Last month, we discussed how to identify a new geographic market. Now that we have found an optimal market and can check off one of the “four Ps” (place), we can focus on the remaining pieces of the puzzle: price, promotion, and product. Let’s see how decentralization of these three marketing elements and a little bit of market segmentation can reduce our cost of funds. More >

Avoiding the Pitfalls in Innovative CDs By Tom Farin, President, Farin & Associates You can tell loan demand is accelerating and funding is getting tighter. CDs are growing so many warts (i.e., imbedded options) that they are beginning to look like toads. Let’s discuss some of the options being used to sweeten CD offerings that potentially place a significant number of land mines in your institution’s CD portfolio. More >

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER, PLEASE READ: The Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle ("Seattle Bank") publishes What Counts for educational and promotional purposes only. The data and analysis presented are based upon information obtained from sources that we consider reliable. The opinions expressed represent the current opinions of our staff and are subject to change without notice. We make no warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy or completeness of any information, analysis, or opinions presented. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the Seattle Bank. The Seattle Bank, its employees, agents, and contractors are not registered investment advisors, financial advisors, or broker dealers, and they are not acting in a fiduciary capacity. The information contained in this newsletter does not constitute a recommendation, offer to sell, or solicitation of an offer to purchase any particular investments or products, including without limitation securities of any companies discussed, and it should not be construed as such. It is the reader’s responsibility to evaluate the suitability, risks, and merits of any investment, funding strategy, or business proposal presented in this newsletter. Newsletter content is for our readers' informational purposes only. Please refer to our Terms of Use for details.