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How Can Depositories Improve Their Budgeting Process for 2020?
Many financial institutions are now focusing on their 2020 planning by identifying likely challenges, defining strategic direction, and forecasting the balance sheet and financial performance through the budgeting process. One of the top questions we field this time...
read moreWhy Should Financial Institutions Manage Risk at the Portfolio Level?
As we discuss institutional investment portfolios with our clients regularly, we find that many portfolio managers spend the bulk of their time evaluating individual securities and developing an opinion on potential market movements. At ALM First, our team agrees with...
read moreHow Can Mortgage Pipeline Hedging Help Manage Risk and Protect Mortgage Profitability?
Slower global growth expectations and a more dovish tone from the Fed in 2019 have led the fixed-income market to price for rate cuts within the next 12 months. As such, some investors have expressed a need for specific investments or strategies that perform well in a...
read moreWhy is the Investment Process Critical in Any Rate Environment?
Slower global growth expectations and a more dovish tone from the Fed in 2019 have led the fixed-income market to price for rate cuts within the next 12 months. As such, some investors have expressed a need for specific investments or strategies that perform well in a...
read moreWhat Investment Reports are Critical to a Manager’s Success?
For financial institutions, timely and accurate management reporting is key to a successful investment management process. There are four specific reports that are critical to the success of both bank and credit union investment portfolio managers and should be...
read moreWhy Should Depositories Consider Hedging in the Current Market?
Year-end industry analysis has shown that 2018 was a standout year for financial depository performance. Both banks and credit unions recorded the highest ROA and ROE metrics observed post-crisis, and industry net worth finished at one of the strongest levels in...
read moreHow Can Core Lending Principles Help My Depository?
Last year was a profitable one for most financial institutions. Despite increased volatility and global concerns, depository performance reached post-crisis highs as shown in Figure 1. Today, many institutions are looking for ways to maintain and grow profitability....
read moreWhat Risks Should My Depository Be Focused on in 2019?
Financial depositories should avoid complacency in 2019 and keep liquidity, repricing and interest rate risk in mind despite strong performance in 2018. Widening net interest margins (NIMs) and tax cuts for banks led to record profits for financial institutions in...
read moreWhat Steps Should My Institution Take to Prepare for CECL?
Many financial institution planning discussions over the past year have focused on FASB’s decision to move to the CECL standard as a replacement for the current accounting methodology of allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL) and other than temporary impairment...
read moreHow Can My Institution Prepare the Investment Portfolio for Any Rate Environment?
Financial institutions continue to be challenged by rising rates, thin net interest margins, and tricky pricing decisions. However, a well-thought-out investment philosophy and disciplined investment strategy can assist your bank or credit union in creating a...
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“ALM First” is a brand name for a financial services business conducted by ALM First Group, LLC (“ALM First”) through its wholly owned subsidiaries: ALM First Financial Advisors, LLC (“ALM First Financial Advisors”); ALM First Advisors, LLC (“ALM First Advisors”); and ALM First Analytics, LLC (“ALM First Analytics”). Investment advisory services are offered through ALM First Financial Advisors, an SEC registered investment adviser. Balance sheet advisory services are offered through ALM First Advisors. Financial reporting services, loan introduction services, and other special project services are offered through ALM First Analytics. Neither ALM First nor any of its subsidiaries provide legal, tax, or accounting advice.
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