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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

Feb 5, 2016 by John Maxfield

Here's How Much Bank of America Will Lose if Energy Prices Stay "Lower for Longer"

If Bank of America’s estimates are accurate, then the impact on its bottom line should be comfortably manageable even if oil prices stay depressed through most of 2016.

Feb 4, 2016 by John Maxfield and Gaby Lapera

Checking Our Mail: Financials Edition

From a discussion of peer-to-peer lending to a deep dive into why companies are added to and removed from the S&P 500, as well as many things in between.

Feb 4, 2016 by John Maxfield

This Risk Is Weighing on Bank of America’s Stock Right Now

The market is punishing the bank disproportionately for systematic risk. That's not good, but its better than being penalized for unsystematic risk -- especially for investors who understand the difference.

Feb 3, 2016 by John Maxfield

3 Reasons It's So Hard to Compete Against U.S. Bancorp

There are clear and quantifiable reasons that U.S. Bancorp is the most profitable major bank in America.

Feb 2, 2016 by John Maxfield

For Bank of America, Goodwill Isn't So Good After All

The $70 billion in goodwill on Bank of America's balance sheet gives it a competitive disadvantage.

Feb 1, 2016 by John Maxfield

Obsolete Dogma: Higher Capitalized Banks Aren't Necessarily Safer

The fact that Dodd-Frank has reduced leverage at the nation's biggest banks doesn't in and of itself make the financial system safer.

Feb 1, 2016 by John Maxfield

Explaining the Role That Leverage Plays in Bank of America's Low Profitability

If you want to know why Bank of America isn't as profitable as JPMorgan Chase or Wells Fargo, the first thing you should look at is leverage.

Jan 31, 2016 by John Maxfield

Why Are These 8 Banks Too Big To Fail?

It's absurd to claim that banks like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo aren't too big to fail

Jan 31, 2016 by John Maxfield

1 Fundamental Point Voters Need to Know About Social Security Before the Election

While an increase to the full retirement age may seem like an alternative to reducing benefits, there is no practical difference between the two.

Jan 29, 2016 by John Maxfield

Here's Why State Street Is More Systematically Important Than Capital One and PNC Financial

You won't hear either of these regional banks complaining about it, but it's nevertheless an interesting question given that both of them have bigger balance sheets than State Street.

Jan 29, 2016 by John Maxfield

5 Things U.S. Bancorp CEO Richard Davis Wants You to Know

Distilling the latest comments from U.S. Bancorp CEO Richard Davis.

Jan 28, 2016 by John Maxfield

The Greatest Shareholder Letter Ever Written by a Bank CEO

The seeds of JPMorgan Chase's re-emergence to the apex of global finance were planted in Jamie Dimon's 2006 letter to shareholders.

Jan 27, 2016 by John Maxfield

The 10 Biggest Banks in America (4Q15)

Here's how the top players in the bank industry ranked by size at the end of 2015

Sep 25, 2018 by John Maxfield

The Smart Way to Invest During a Stock Market Correction

Investors can profit handsomely from stock market corrections if they invest in quality companies, average into their positions, and then wait until their unrealized losses evolve into gains.

Jan 26, 2016 by John Maxfield

How Exposed Are Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase to China?

Their direct exposure is very manageable, but the bigger concern is if China's problems infect the U.S. economy.

Jan 26, 2016 by John Maxfield

How Much Will Higher Interest Rates Boost Bank of America and Wells Fargo's Earnings?

Higher interest rates will make banks much more profitable, which will then filter through to their stock prices.

Jan 25, 2016 by John Maxfield

This Chart About M&T Bank Will Blow Your Mind

M&T Bank's returns under CEO Robert Wilmers make the performance of other bank CEOs seem like child's play.

Jan 25, 2016 by John Maxfield

1 Question Bank Investors Should Be Asking Come March

It remains to be seen how strict the Federal Reserve will be this year when it comes to bank payout ratios.

Jan 23, 2016 by John Maxfield

The Simple Math That Makes Bank of America's Stock So Compelling

If you follow my logic, it should be clear that Bank of America's share are cheap right now.

Jan 22, 2016 by John Maxfield

U.S. Bancorp Has Paid a Dividend Every Year Since Abraham Lincoln Was President

If you’re looking for a reliable dividend stock, you could do a lot worse than U.S. Bancorp.

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