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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

Nov 6, 2015 by John Maxfield

Better Dividend Stock: McDonald's vs. Johnson & Johnson

Which of these two stocks has the best dividend?

Nov 5, 2015 by John Maxfield

Why a Bank's Debt Rating Can Be a Competitive Advantage

Banks with high debt ratings face lower funding costs and thus higher profitability.

Nov 5, 2015 by John Maxfield and Gaby Lapera

Competitive Advantage: Big Banks Blocking the Competition

Which banks have strong enough names to create an entry barrier for potential rivals?

Nov 4, 2015 by John Maxfield

Wells Fargo Is the Biggest Bank in America, According to These 3 Measures

The nation's fourth-biggest bank by assets has rapidly gained market share in the wake of the financial crisis.

Nov 4, 2015 by John Maxfield

5 Big Banks With the Lowest Dividend Payout Ratios

Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, SunTrust Banks, and two other major American lenders, are likely to increase their dividends consistently in the years ahead.

Nov 3, 2015 by John Maxfield

5 Big Banks With the Highest Dividend Payout Ratios

Wells Fargo, U.S. Bancorp, and BB&T, as well as two other big banks, distribute more of their earnings via dividends than any other major lenders.

Nov 3, 2015 by John Maxfield

5 Best-Performing Big Bank Stocks in October

These five bank stocks increased by at least 5.5% last month.

Nov 2, 2015 by John Maxfield

2 Legitimate Reasons to Dislike NYCB's Merger With Astoria Financial

There's more to this merger than meets the eye.

Nov 2, 2015 by John Maxfield

Why Is This Intangible Asset Giving Bank of America Grief?

Bank of America's balance sheet contains more goodwill than its closest competitors, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo.

Oct 31, 2015 by John Maxfield

The 3 Simple Keys to Operating an Exceptional Bank

The nation's best-run banks are able to balance revenue growth against robust risk management, all while keeping costs low.

Oct 30, 2015 by John Maxfield

Capital One CEO Richard Fairbank Explains "Growth Math," a Critical Banking Concept

Why higher loan default rates are to be expected at this stage in the credit cycle.

Oct 30, 2015 by John Maxfield

The Simple Reason Warren Buffett Loves This Stock

For investors looking for companies with competitive advantages, Wells Fargo should find its way to the top of your list.

Oct 30, 2015 by John Maxfield

NYCB's Merger with Astoria Financial Could Save $50 Million a Quarter in Interest Expense Alone

While New York Community Bancorp will have to slash its dividend to $0.17 per share, down from $0.25 per share currently, its merger with Astoria Financial could nevertheless prove to be lucrative for shareholders.

Oct 30, 2015 by John Maxfield

Bank of America's Legal Problems Appear to Be Largely Over

The bank's decision to exclude a formerly standard slide from its latest earnings presentation is a fortuitous sign.

Oct 29, 2015 by John Maxfield

The Most Interesting Bank in America

The most powerful bank in America may also be the most understated.

Oct 29, 2015 by John Maxfield

The 4 Lowest-Yielding Big Bank Stocks

One way to interpret these bank stocks' low yields is that there's lots of room for improvement.

Oct 29, 2015 by John Maxfield

JPMorgan Chase Wins Big in J.D. Power’s Latest Customer Satisfaction Survey

The New York City-based bank proves again that it operates with its customers in mind.

Oct 28, 2015 by John Maxfield

Bank of America Should Buy Back More Stock Next Year, Not Raise Its Dividend

Because its shares trade for a large discount to book value, buying back stock, as opposed to raising its dividend, is the fastest way for Bank of America to boost shareholder returns.

Oct 28, 2015 by John Maxfield

Capital One and Regions Financial Were the Best-Performing Big Bank Stocks Last Week

The three best-performing big bank stocks last week were Capital One, Regions Financial, and PNC Financial.

Oct 28, 2015 by John Maxfield

The 4 Highest-Yielding Big Bank Stocks

These four bank stocks yield more than their industry counterparts.

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