Credit Ratings of 15 Global Banks Cut In Largest Downgrades Since 2007

In the most sweeping credit downgrades since 2007, Moody’s Investor Service lowered the credit ratings of fifteen global banks, including the five largest banks in the United States.  The scope of the credit downgrades left many wondering if we are entering a new phase of the global financial meltdown that started in 2008.  Despite trillions […]

Three Banks Fail In Tennessee, Georgia and Florida – Total 2012 Bank Failures At 31

Regulators closed three banks in three different states, as loan losses continue to plague the banking industry.  Efforts by small banks to raise additional capital have become increasing difficult due to low loan demand, a slowing economy and investor antipathy towards banking stocks.  The latest three banking failures in Tennessee, Georgia and Florida bring total […]

The Farmers Bank of Lynchburg, TN, Closed By Regulators After 124 Years Of Operations

One of the oldest banking institutions in the country was closed by regulators after becoming critically undercapitalized.  The Farmers Bank of Lynchburg, established in 1888, was closed by the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions which appointed the FDIC as receiver.  In order to protect depositors, the failed bank was sold by the FDIC to Clayton […]

Security Exchange Bank, Marietta, GA, Fails After Loan Defaults Soar

Security Exchange Bank, Marietta, GA, a locally owned community bank headquartered in Marietta, GA, was closed today by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. The FDIC, acting as receiver, sold the failed Bank to Fidelity Bank, Atlanta, GA. Both branches of the failed Bank will reopen on Monday as branches of Fidelity Bank and […]

Putnam State Bank, Palatka, FL, Closed By Regulators

Putnam State Bank, Palatka, FL, established in December 1988, was closed today by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation.  The FDIC, appointed as receiver for the failed bank, was able to sell Putnam State Bank to Harbor Community Bank, Indiantown, FL. During the height of the real estate mania and lending boom, few states saw […]

Four Banks Collapse In Four States – 2012 Bank Failures Total 28

After only two bank failures during May, regulators got off to a fast start in June, closing four banks in four different states.  With the financial system in a period of temporary calm, the number of bank closings during 2012 has tapered off from last year’s levels.  While regulators have closed 28 banks thus far […]

Farmers and Traders State Bank, IL, Closed By Regulators

Farmers and Traders State Bank, Shabbona, Illinois, established in 1905, was closed today by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.  The FDIC, appointed as receiver, sold the failed bank to First State Bank, Mendota, IL. Despite being in business for over a century, Farmers and Traders State Bank remained a small bank with […]

Carolina Federal Savings Bank, Charleston, SC, Collapses

The State of South Carolina experienced its second bank failure of the year as regulators closed Carolina Federal Savings Bank, Charleston, SC.  The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency closed the insolvent bank to protect depositors and appointed the FDIC as receiver.  The FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Bank of […]

First Capital Bank, Kingfisher, OK, Closed By Regulators After 110 Years Of Operation

Any bank that can stay in business for 110 years must have been doing something right.  First Capital Bank, originally founded in 1902 as Guthrie Savings Bank, provided banking services to its customers at a time when Oklahoma was not yet a state and Guthrie was the capital of the Oklahoma Territory. The long and […]

One Out Of Every Ten Banks Is A “Problem Bank” – FDIC Issues 56 Enforcement Actions In April 2012

The FDIC announced in a press release that 56 enforcement actions were taken against banks and individuals during April 2012.  In the previous month, the FDIC had issued 72 enforcement actions. The FDIC enforcement actions issued in April included 14 civil money penalties, 1 prompt corrective action, 13 consent orders, 19 orders terminating previous consent […]