2026 will begin with the question of who will replace Jay Powell as Fed Chief when his term expires in May and with the certainty that rates will continue their downward trend. The downward trend in rates is lessening the…
Credit Union Star-Ratings Now Updated with Q3 Data
All credit union star-ratings are now updated with September 30, 2025 financial data. Over the past five years, credit union industry assets have grown by more than 1/3rd. As the large get larger, the top 10% by asset size control…
Third Quarter Bank Results “Mostly” Positive
All bank star-ratings are now based on September 30, 2025 financial data. The positive: Bauer reports there are fewer banks relegated to its Troubled and Problematic Bank Report as being rated 2-Stars or below. The negative: Depositors are increasing their…
DON’T LET SCAMMERS STEAL YOUR HOLIDAY CHEER
Don’t Let Scammers Steal Your Holiday Cheer: Expert Tips to Stay Safe This Season As holiday shopping and celebrations ramp up, fraudsters are getting more creative. Here’s how to protect your wallet—and your peace of mind. Coral Gables, Florida –…
Protect Yourself this Holiday Season
Bauer would like everyone to have a happy, healthy and safe Holiday Season. Everyone, that is, except the criminals who like to prey on the unsuspecting. To that end, we are providing tips to help you avoid becoming a victim…
Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Down Slightly This Year
According to the 40th annual “informal” survey conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the cost of Thanksgiving Dinner is down about 5% this year from last, yet is still almost 18% higher than it was back in 2020.…
These Banks are Growing Without Buying Rivals
Today we look at banks growing their assets without acquiring another institution. (It is possible.) We see newer banks growing, as they should for at least the first three years, but often a de novo period will last much longer.…
25 of the Year’s Largest Bank Acquisitions
During the first six months of 2025, 62 banks merged or consolidated into other U.S. banks and, while we reported on the largest bank acquisitions in August, today we are focusing on the of size the acquired bank relative to…
5-Star Community Banks with New Branches
Big banks may be merging and closing overlapping branches, but in the past several months, 468 community banks added 543 new full-service branch offices. Bauer is very heartened to see community banks helping to fill the branch void left by…
Problems in Commercial Loan Portfolios Persist
This week we turn our attention to commercial loans (a combination of commercial real estate (CRE), commercial & industrial loans (C&I) and multifamily (5 or more dwellings) residential real estate). As an industry, U.S. banks reported underperforming: CRE of 1.65%;…