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John Maxfield

TMFMaxfield

I write about banks, trying my best to balance the good and the bad.

Recent Articles by John Maxfield

Sep 18, 2013 by John Maxfield

Bank of America's Eviction From the Dow Seems Odd, But Isn't

Despite the conspiratorial insinuations, Goldman Sachs isn't taking Bank of America's place on the Dow for illegitimate reasons.

Sep 18, 2013 by John Maxfield

5 Big Bank Executives on the Future of Branch Banking

One of the hottest debates among bankers today involves the future of bank branches. Will they become irrelevant in years to come, replaced by online and mobile platforms? Or will there always be a need for a physical presence irrespective of technological progress?

Sep 17, 2013 by John Maxfield

What Every Bank Wants Investors to Know

The growth of fee-based revenue proves that simple banking is indeed a thing of the past.

Sep 17, 2013 by John Maxfield

BB&T's Efficiency Ratio Is Up, Should Shareholders Be Concerned?

Since the second quarter of last year, BB&T's efficiency ratio has shot up by nearly four percentage points. Its CEO explains the trend away, but should shareholders buy his explanation?

Sep 17, 2013 by John Maxfield

The Future of Free Checking According to PNC's CEO

"Given the changes in the operating environment, banking in the future has got to be very different from banking in the past."

Sep 15, 2013 by John Maxfield

3 Things That Will Affect Stocks This Week

While every week offers a unique set of economic reports, this week is bigger than most.

Sep 15, 2013 by John Maxfield

5 Biggest Mortgage Originators in America

When it comes to mortgage lending, these five companies dominate the industry.

Sep 14, 2013 by John Maxfield

Will the Fed Send Stocks Soaring Next Week?

On Wednesday afternoon, the central bank is slated to release its most recent statement on monetary policy.

Sep 14, 2013 by John Maxfield

How Merrill Lynch Became Bank of America's Unlikely Savior

While Bank of America is often cast as a white knight when it comes to the financial crisis, acquiring Merrill Lynch rather than watching it fail, the reality is much more nuanced.

Sep 12, 2013 by John Maxfield

Here's Why Apple Isn't a Dow Stock

Ever wonder why Apple isn't a member of the Dow? The explanation has to do with its share price.

Sep 12, 2013 by John Maxfield

Mortgage Rates: The Calm Before the Storm

Mortgage rates stayed steady this week ahead of the Federal Reserve's pivotal meeting next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Sep 12, 2013 by John Maxfield

5 Charts from Bank of America's Presentation to Analysts

A great way to identify high-quality stocks is by scavenging through industry presentations that don’t normally see the light of day outside of Wall Street.

Sep 12, 2013 by John Maxfield

Why Citigroup Is Firing 120 Employees

With mortgage applications plummeting, banks are beginning to curtail their home lending operations.

Sep 11, 2013 by John Maxfield

Why Berkshire Hathaway Will Never Join the Dow

The reason Berkshire Hathaway will never be a part of the Dow is because its shares are simply too expensive.

Sep 11, 2013 by John Maxfield

In Dow Shakeup, the Financial Sector Gains at Other Sectors’ Expense

The decision to add Goldman Sachs and Visa to the Dow Jones Industrial Average will dramatically increase the weight and prestige of the financial sector.

Sep 11, 2013 by John Maxfield

2 Large Lenders Admit Mortgage Applications Are Plummeting

The nation's two largest mortgage originators separately acknowledged this week that mortgage origination volumes are in free-fall thanks to higher long-term interest rates.

Sep 11, 2013 by John Maxfield

"The Most Important Thing" About Bank Stocks

If you want to pick a great bank stock, the most important thing to look out for is the quality of the underlying bank's loans.

Sep 11, 2013 by John Maxfield

7.1 Million Homeowners Are Still Underwater

While the financial crisis is now nearly five-years old, millions of homeowners remain underwater on their mortgages.

Sep 11, 2013 by John Maxfield

Mortgage Applications Fall By 13.5% -- the Most Since Last Year

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported today that applications for home loans notched a massive decline last week.

Sep 10, 2013 by John Maxfield

A Very Positive Sign for Banks

Banks are setting aside less money in expectation of future loan losses than they have since the second quarter of 2006.

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