M Benefit Solutions - Bank Strategies | Banking Newsletters
The Bottom Line, Q4 2011 - M Financial Group Announces a New Partner Carrier: TIAA -CREF Life Insurance Company
In October, M Financial Group introduced TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Company (TC Life) as its newest Partner Carrier. This new, exclusive relationship will create additional differentiation for Member Firms through TIAA-CREF’s market-segmented product offerings, industry-leading ratings, and pristine brand. No other third-party distribution will have access to TC Life products exclusively designed for the M partnership. Download Newsletter
The Bottom Line, Q3 2011 - S&P Downgrade of U.S. Credit Rating: Initial Perspectives (As Featured in the August 2011 M Financial Group Due Care Bulletin)
On August 5, 2011, Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (S&P) downgraded the long-term credit rating of the United States of America to ‘AA+’ from ‘AAA’ and maintained its negative rating outlook. The action came after S&P placed the rating on Credit Watch Negative on July 15, 2011. Download Newsletter
The Bottom Line, Q2 2011- The Importance and Nature of Assessing Life Insurance Company Financial Strength
OCC Bulletin 2004-56 acknowledges that “life insurance holdings can serve a number of appropriate business purposes” and further repeats previous authoritative statements which require that the purchase of life insurance must address the “identified needs” of the bank “consistent with safe and sound banking practices.” The OCC has historically found insurance purchased in connection with employee compensation and benefit plans to fall into this category. Download Newsletter
The Bottom Line, Q1 2011 - FSOC Study of Volcker Rule and Its Application to BOLI
In January, the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) issued its study and recommendations under Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, also known as the Volcker Rule. The Volcker Rule prohibits banking entities, which benefit from federal insurance on customer deposits or access to the discount window, from engaging in proprietary trading and from investing in or sponsoring hedge funds and private equity funds, subject to certain exceptions. Download Newsletter
Letter to Community Banks from our President and CEO - Q4 2010
Over the past year, community banks have battled a sluggish economy and an ever evolving regulatory environment, both of which have created significant challenges. In these turbulent times we feel fortunate that our primary customers - community banks - remain vibrant, healthy, and uniquely positioned to help lead the U.S. economic recovery. Download Newsletter
Basel III - Higher Global Minimum Capital Standards Announced - Q3 2010
Basel Committee on Banking Supervision announced the strengthening of capital standards, along with the introduction of a global liquidity standard, at its September 12th meeting. These reforms are intended to enable banks to better endure periods of economic and financial stress while simultaneously supporting economic growth. Download Newsletter
Moody's Concludes That U.S. Life Insurance Industry Remains Well Capitalized - Q2 2010
According to a Special Comment issued by Moody’s Investors Service, the U.S. life insurance industry remains well capitalized after completing a review of 2009 year-end statutory financial statements filed by insurers. This conclusion takes into account “cosmetic” changes that boosted 2009 year-end riskbased capital (RBC) but did little to alter the true capital levels of companies. Download Newsletter
Character-Driven Performance for the 21st Century: Attracting, Retaining, and Motivating Top Talent - Q1 2010
Many bank leaders believe they have a good understanding of how committed their key people are to the bank... until one of them leaves. In today’s environment, where a bank’s competitive advantage is, to a great degree, an outgrowth of a culture of confidence, every CEO should understand the issues that drive employees into and out of organizations and how to unleash their passion and improve their execution. Download Newsletter
Assessing the Impact of the Decline in the Commercial Real Estate Market on Life Insurers - Q4 2009
Concerns about the stability of life insurers and other financial service companies are growing as economists predict that the commercial real estate and mortgage market will be the next domino to fall in the current recession. Life insurers allocate approximately 15% of their assets to commercial mortgage-related investments. Download Newsletter
Captial Conundrum - How BOLI Impacts a Bank's Risk-Based Capital Ratio - Q3 2009
In early September, the U.S. Treasury proposed adopting new capital and liquidity requirements for banks based on international standards in line with recent recommendations by the Basel Committee. Although specific levels and ratios have yet to be set, they are expected to be more stringent than current requirements, calling for higher capital levels, constraints on leverage and a minimum standard for funding liquidity. Download Newsletter
"The Five Essentials of Pay for Performance" - Q2 2009
In adopting a rewards philosophy for how people will be remunerated for their contributions within an organization, a bank has to determine what the right balance should be between short and long-term compensation and guaranteed versus variable compensation. Pivotal in that philosophy development is how and to what extent pay will be tied to specific types of performance. Download Newsletter
Under Pressure to "Move Money"? - Why Banks Should Consider BOLI - Q1 2009
We are all being encouraged to “move money.” The question is where? Moving money is a key to energizing this stagnant economy. The Fed agrees and is reducing the funds rate to near zero in an attempt to wrench open the liquidity spigot by emboldening banks, investors and borrowers to shift out of now poor performing “safe haven” investments. Download Newsletter
