underwriting Archives - CFO

Watchdog Warns of ‘Significant’ PPP Fraud Risk

Watchdog Warns of ‘Significant’ PPP Fraud Risk

The GAO says "minimal" underwriting standards left the $670 billion small business rescue program vulnerable to fraud.

By Matthew Heller | June 26, 2020

Fintech Takes Root in America’s Farmland

Fintech Takes Root in America’s Farmland

Using data-focused underwriting principles, FarmTogether provides investors fractional ownership of agricultural land that’s then leased out to farmers.

By Lauren Muskett | October 16, 2019

Direct Listings: An Alternative to IPOs?

Mergers & Acquisitions

Direct Listings: An Alternative to IPOs?

If capital raising no longer motivates companies to go the IPO route, direct listings may be the answer.

By Anna T. Pinedo | February 7, 2018

Spotify Moving Closer to Direct NYSE Listing

Spotify Moving Closer to Direct NYSE Listing

A direct listing would allow Spotify to avoid the hefty underwriting fees of a traditional IPO while providing liquidity to shareholders.

By Matthew Heller | December 21, 2017

Advice to Cyber Insurance Buyers: You Are Not Alone

Advice to Cyber Insurance Buyers: You Are Not Alone

CFOs and risk managers need to know that cyber underwriters are using "security scores" to assess their clients' risks.

By Lynda Bennett | May 9, 2017

Berkshire Hathaway Profit Falls 5% to $3.56B

Financial Performance

Berkshire Hathaway Profit Falls 5% to $3.56B

The decline in earnings reflected an after-tax loss of $267 million from insurance underwriting that offset gains from the BNSF railroad and utilities.

By Matthew Heller | May 8, 2017

Ally Financial Fined $52M Over MBS Marketing

Risk & Compliance

Ally Financial Fined $52M Over MBS Marketing

U.S. authorities say an Ally subsidiary marketed mortgage bonds even though it knew a "significant percentage" of the underlying subprime loans was toxic.

By Matthew Heller | November 22, 2016

Fed Finds Little Change in Lending Conditions

Risk Management

Fed Finds Little Change in Lending Conditions

Banks reported easing of credit card and auto loan standards, but in the commmercial and industrial loan segment reports of tightening were more frequent.

By Matthew Heller | November 3, 2015

Easing Street

Bank's credit underwriting standards loosened considerably in 2014, especially among commercial loan products, says the OCC.

By Vincent Ryan | December 17, 2014

Banks Cutting Spreads to Win Borrowers

Risk & Compliance

Banks Cutting Spreads to Win Borrowers

Tighter spreads, lower credit line fees, fewer interest-rate floors, looser covenants — banks continue to ease terms to build their business loan books.

By Vincent Ryan | May 5, 2014

Why Low Interest Rates Boost Insurance Prices

Risk Management

Why Low Interest Rates Boost Insurance Prices

A steady drop in insurance companies’ investment income is prodding them to charge you more.

By David Katz | March 31, 2014

As Banks Loosen Underwriting, Credit Risk Rises

Growth Companies

As Banks Loosen Underwriting, Credit Risk Rises

Examiners find U.S. banks reducing collateral requirements and loosening covenants on business loans. Particularly the highly leveraged kind.

By Vincent Ryan | January 30, 2014

Borrowing Without Banks

Borrowing Without Banks

Private capital and other nonbank sources of debt financing are offering companies borrowing options beyond the traditional bank loan.

By Vincent Ryan | October 28, 2013

How Commercial Banks Get to “Yes”

How Commercial Banks Get to “Yes”

What happens behind the curtain of a business lender’s underwriting decision.

By Scott Bergquist | July 2, 2012

Risk & Compliance

Post-Occupied

Tepid demand, thin margins, new regulations, investor caution &spamp;#8212; and a lingering public-relations problem. No wonder banks are nervous.

By Vincent Ryan | December 1, 2011