by Geoffrey Gallo, ChFC, CExp, Vice President of Sales and Client Strategies, Doeren Mayhew

Doeren Mayhew and other community banking experts recently explored opportunity, risk and regulatory implications for 2013 at an Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) Region 9 educational forum in Houston. Read below for highlights and slide downloads:

Financial Instrument Credit Losses FASB Exposure Draft

Robin Hoag, CPA, CGMA, CMC, a Shareholder in the Financial Institutions Group at Doeren Mayhew, focused on proposed regulations changing from an “Incurred Loss model” to a “Current Expected Credit Loss” model, meaning metrics will be linked to banking portfolios whether C&I, CRE, residential real estate, consumer loan, etc. The rule will change the way allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL) is handled, a change that is important, pervasive and significant. Hoag encouraged banks to comment to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) on the proposed changes before deliberations end in April 2013. Banks are also encouraged to explore how the changes will impact their pricing models, capital and return on shareholder equity.

Agency Responsibilities and Texas Banking System

Kurt Purdom from the Texas Department of Banking (TDB) reviewed the economy and its impact on Texas banks. Trends in the industry include banks taking on more risk, selling unprofitable branches, reducing overhead costs and introducing new product lines to combat razor-thin margins, all of which raises concerns for the department. Banks are encouraged to ensure they are not cutting costs in the wrong places and that they are putting the right policies, procedures and expertise in place to develop new product lines.

Strategies to Drive Community Bank Profitability

Dr. James Bexley from Sam Houston State University’s School of Banking & Finance explored tips for growth and profitability, including:

  • Know your market.
  • Develop niche products.
  • Run customers surveys annually.
  • Make every employee feel they count in the bank.
  • And more.
For more information on these strategies, contact Doeren Mayhew’s dedicated Financial Institutions Group, with CPAs in Troy, MI, Houston, TX and Ft. Lauderdale, FL.