Comments for NorthWestern Financial Review Blog

Comment on Kemp offers board advice at BHCA seminar by Ken Palmer

Ken Palmer — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:13:05 +0000

It’s difficult to get directors to be open to evalauation, learning and especially attendance. I think the only effective way it will happen is when Regulators make it a more important part of their examinations and have more clear guidelines in communications with directors.

Comment on Expansion of sales tax in Minnesota would impact many by Charlie Quimby

Charlie Quimby — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:15:54 +0000

“Gov. Dayton wants to make it more expensive for me to buy mittens and a coat for my child” — very effective, in my opinion given this week’s sub-zero temperatures.

Effective, maybe, but very disingenuous.

More expensive mittens? Not unless they cost more than $100 a pair! And Macy’s online shows only 2 of about 50 kids’ coats priced at just over $100.

Comment on Lou Geistfeld named 2013 Banker of the Year by LOU GEISTFELD NAMED BANKER OF THE YEAR « Citizens Bank Minnesota

LOU GEISTFELD NAMED BANKER OF THE YEAR « Citizens Bank Minnesota — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:22:44 +0000

[...] NorthWestern Financial Review’s Blog: http://northwesternfinancialreview.com/blog/?p=3229 [...]

Comment on Dad gave me what I needed by Tom Bengtson

Tom Bengtson — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 22:51:49 +0000

Thanks, Liz.

Comment on Dad gave me what I needed by Liz Horlick

Liz Horlick — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:24:21 +0000

Hello, Tom,

I just read about your Father. I am so sorry. From your article, I can tell that your Dad was a brilliant, wonderfully wise and caring man who loved his family and life more than anything in the world. I’m glad you have the happy memories in your heart. I, too, have been blessed with a wonderful Dad. He’s soon to turn 93 and has Alzheimer’s, but I am reminded each day that I’m with him that he has been a tremendous blessing. Happy Father’s Day always, Frank, and Happy Father’s Day , Dad. Thank you for your gifts and all the blessings you have left with us.

Comment on Tension high between banks and credit unions by Andrew G. Sexton

Andrew G. Sexton — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:33:00 +0000

This is bank-bash contest thing not unique: http://thefinancialbrand.com/18248/elevations-credit-union-limerick-promotion/
For anyone buying that this CU industry is non-profit, I have a free lunch to sell.
CU’s are just like Banks…on steroids.
If CU’s want to be banks let them be taxed like banks.
I don’t think there’s a banker in America that would have a problem with that.
CU’s wouldn’t then talk so loud.
As it is Banks – and the rest of America – are nothing less than subsidizing these CU’s.
When government writes rules that takes market share from tax paying citizens and gives that market share to non-tax paying citizens it doesn’t take long for the public coffers to slip into the red.
And we wonder why we can’t pay our country’s bills!
Still it is our own fault as Bankers for not getting the facts out there.
It’s just that tax-free status – that merchants’ holy grail – is so powerful (read: corrupt) it’s a very tough nut to crack.

“Do tax-cheat credit union bosses make you ill?
Does their “fat-cat banker” rhetoric sound shrill?
Then bank within your community
And attack fraud with impunity
Because it’s YOU getting stuck with the bill!”

Comment on Father-son team named Bankers of the Year by Joy Ust Mclain

Joy Ust Mclain — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:27:18 +0000

WOW Congrats to the two of you- You make Finley PROUD! I am a Hatton resident now and we are sure proud of you also!!!!

Comment on It’s always good to keep state money local by Dean Wm Mumbleau

Dean Wm Mumbleau — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:44:35 +0000

Money for funding loans is not the problem. The problem is qualified borrowers. The suggestion that depositing money into local community banks shows how disconnected the government is from the real problem.

Comment on Starbucks and small business lending by Jason Cobb

Jason Cobb — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:21:51 +0000

When you combine the flowing access to credit from banks (in the form of credit cards as you put out) and the fact that most studies say that the buisness base in this country has all the credit they want along with new forms of startup capital like Kickstarter, Kiva, and other crowdfunding options, it seems like there are more ways to fund new and growing businesses than ever before. Wondering aloud: I’m curious why it seems like there is a growing disparity in the perception of capital availability and the actual amount of capital availability.

I think your analogy on the hiker’s load is a great way to describe the current situation.

Comment on Starbucks and small business lending by Mark

Mark — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:43:13 +0000

Your comments about uncertainty being the problem are spot on!