ABA Banking Journal

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has invested more money in financial stocks. Berkshire Hathaway reported a 17.5 million share stake in Synchrony Financial, its June quarter 13F filing revealed Monday. (CNBC)

Visit https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/15/financial-stock-surges-after-warren-buffett-adds-it-to-his-big-banking-bet.html to view the full article online.

Risk assets across the globe, despite already high valuations, have recovered impressively from a sell-off triggered by concerns about a North Korean nuclear attack. In doing so, they have again highlighted the extent to which traders and investors – highly confident about the environment they operate in – have developed endogenous stabilizers. (Bloomberg)

Visit https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-08-17/good-reasons-to-dismiss-market-fears-for-now to view the full article online.

"We look forward to working with the bureau to test the proposed new disclosures to make sure they improve consumer understanding," said Virginia O’Neill, senior vice president of the American Bankers Association’s center for regulatory compliance. (New York Times)

Visit https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/11/business/banks-overdrafts-cfpb.html to view the full article online.

The Federal Open Market Committee was divided over when it will next raise the target federal funds rate, which they decided to hold at 1 to 1.25 percent, according to minutes from the FOMC’s July 25-26 meeting. (ABA Banking Journal)

Visit http://bankingjournal.aba.com/2017/08/fed-divided-over-timing-of-next-rate-hike/ to view the full article online.

Outstanding household debt increased by 0.9 percent in the second quarter, rising by $114 billion to total $12.84 trillion, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said today. The quarterly increase set a new record, coming one quarter after household debt topped its previous 2008 peak. (ABA Banking Journal)

Visit http://bankingjournal.aba.com/2017/08/n-y-fed-household-debt-reaches-12-84-trillion/ to view the full article online.

A widely used index used to calculate floating interest rates that affects $350 trillion in global deals is being dumped at the end of 2021. It is leaving lenders and borrowers in a quandary to not only identify and agree on replacements, but also determine how to handle ongoing loans, as well as the future wording of new loan documents. (Forbes)

Visit https://www.forbes.com/sites/bisnow/2017/08/07/lois-weiss-a-banking-rule-change-puts-350-trillion-of-debt-in-limbo/#3904b4427821 to view the full article online.

For the first time since its launch in 2016, ABA is expanding its "Americas Banks" ad campaign beyond the Washington area. The campaign, which focuses on the important role banks play in their communities and the economy, will continue in Washington during the August congressional recess but also expand to select states across the country. (ABA Banking Journal)

Visit http://bankingjournal.aba.com/2017/08/aba-extends-americas-banks-ads-outside-beltway/ to view the full article online.

There were $478.9 billion in retail and food service sales in July, up 0.6% from the previous month and 4.2% from July 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. July’s retail sales were the largest gain in seven months. June’s number was upwardly revised to reflect 0.3% growth. (ABA Banking Journal)

Visit http://bankingjournal.aba.com/2017/08/retail-sales-jumped-to-7-month-high-in-july/ to view the full article online.