By Sheila C. Bair, Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

While individuals of all ages, incomes, and educational levels often lack the basic financial knowledge and skills to ensure long-term stability for themselves and their families, this is particularly true for low- to moderate-income populations. In fact, it sometimes seems as if the market is divided into two groups: wealthier consumers who rely on financial institutions for virtually cost-free, basic services and those with lower and moderate incomes who pay considerably higher amounts for the same service levels. More >

Beyond Hobson's Choice: Match Funding Loans without Prepayment Penalties You’ve been there before. It’s 5:00 on a Friday afternoon. Your top-producing loan officer has some good news and bad news. A longstanding “A” credit, the owner of several fully occupied commercial buildings, would like to refinance his portfolio with a new, five-year, fixed-rate facility. The bad news: The borrower has been approached by your arch-rival who is offering a competitive structure that does not require a prepayment penalty. More >

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