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The Impact of Reciprocal Tariffs on Community Banking

South State Correspondent

“Liberation Day” brought a 10% baseline tax on all imports plus a 15% to 49% tariff rate on a defined set of nations (below). The recent uncertain shifts in trade policies, particularly increased tariffs on imports from China, Canada, and Mexico, have introduced specific uncertainties for community banks.

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Using Forward Rate Locks to Win Customers and Manage Risk

South State Correspondent

We work with hundreds of community banks across the country that utilize forward rate locks to decrease risk, increase fee income, and stave off competition from national and regional banks. National lenders have been using forward rate locks for decades, and these instruments can take many forms.

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Here is The Largest Reason for Community Bank Consolidation

South State Correspondent

Community banks (under $10B in assets) serve a key role for borrowers, local communities, and the broader US economy. Community banks are better positioned than many other creditors to follow and adapt to local economies, industries and trends, thereby, being better stewards of capital. The number of U.S.

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Community Bank Hedging Options

South State Correspondent

Over the last 15 years, an ever greater percentage of community banks have embraced some form of interest rate hedging. Approximately 1,000 banks in the country use some form of hedging products to manage risk, generate fee income, or provide product offerings demanded by their customers. Loan-level Vs. Balance Sheet Hedging.

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Community Bank Hedging Options

South State Correspondent

Over the last 15 years, an ever greater percentage of community banks have embraced some form of interest rate hedging. Approximately 1,000 banks in the country use some form of hedging products to manage risk, generate fee income, or provide product offerings demanded by their customers. Loan-level Vs. Balance Sheet Hedging.

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Digital Services Mean Every Bank Is a National Bank

Bank Innovation

Pittsburgh-based PNC Financial Services Group is making a significant digital push this quarter, and highlighted a number of areas this is benefiting the bank’s consumer business. But the most significant revelation from the company’s earnings call yesterday may be that digital banking allows any bank to become national.

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Loan Hedging for Community Banks in 2024

South State Correspondent

Community banks’ use of swaps (banks’ primary tool to hedge interest rate risk on loans) has increased substantially over the last ten years. Meanwhile, community banks face net interest margin (NIM) and fee income pressure. Only 304 banks (or 6.7% of the total) used swaps directly.