The Banker Next Door

Episode 328: Let's talk about the stigma of the discount window!

This episode examines a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York titled “Can Discount Window Stigma Be Cured? An Experimental Investigation.” This paper was originally released in May 2024. The researchers conducted an experiment to see if forced regular use of the Fed’s discount window by banks would eliminate the ‘stigma’ of banks utilizing a line of credit from the lender of last resort. Does the theory work? Why is there even a ‘stigma’ to using a line of credit from the Fed? Links to the report and to Episode 216 on the discount window are included below.
Link: sr1103.pdf
Link: Episode 216: What is the discount window and how do banks get access?Podbean - https://joeberq.podbean.com/e/episode-216-what-is-the-discount-window-and-how-do-banks-get-access/?token=97c4d48bcb7971b7ea951603225d2e1b
 

Episode 327: Coinbase, Robinhood, and meme coins oh my! (Crypto Series Part XVI)

This is part 16 of the crypto series. In this episode we review recent crypto related stories included another meme coin disaster in Argentina, Robinhood making big profits off crypto trading, are stablecoins friend of foe for banks, and Coinbase made some accounting changes and had a legal case dropped by the SEC. Links to several of the related articles are included below.  
Link: Stablecoins: Friend or Foe to the Banking Industry? | Bank Director
Link: Robinhood Stock Hits All-Time High as Soaring Crypto Trading Powers Q4 Profit
Link: Coinbase says the SEC has agreed to end 'bogus' enforcement case against crypto exchange

BND: Strategy Room 2-22-2025

The Banker Next Door (BND) weekly live stream show. Strategy Room provides financial news, commentary, top stories in the business world, economic indicators, and all things banking for the week.

Episode 326: Are people in their 50's and 60's better entrepreneurs?

This episode examines a recent article from The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) titled “The Investor Betting on People in Their 50s and 60s-Because Older is Better.” We often think about the ideal entrepreneur being a young 20 something with tons of energy. Are your 20’s really the best time in your life to start a business? One investor has built a strategy around betting on older entrepreneurs in their 50’s and 60’s. The reasons are obvious as age has its benefits. You have a network, you have personal funds, you have experience, and you know the ins and outs of running a company. This article makes a great case for older is better when it comes to entrepreneurs. A link to the article is included below.
Link: The Investor Betting on People In Their 50s and 60s—Because Older Is Better - WSJ

Episode 325: That art collection is nice! Now about the costs....

This episode examines a recent article from The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) titled “The Hidden Costs of Being a Collector.” Many people seek to become collectors of art, wine, and precious metals, to name a few, either as a hobby or as part of building personal wealth. At the same time, most collectors don’t understand the full costs associated with building a collection. Costs can include security, storage, and insurance. As a collector, you want to understand what you are getting into because the cost might be higher than you think. A link to the article is included below. 
Link: The Hidden Costs of Collecting: Beyond the Price Tag of Wine, Art, & More - WSJ

Episode 324: Should you consider investing in TIPS?

This episode examines a recent article from The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) titled “Inflation isn’t going away? Some tips on how to buy TIPS.” TIPS stands for Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities. TIPS can be a great investment if you are worried about keeping up with inflation. TIPS can be particularly useful, as an investment, if you are approaching retirement. We also examine the Treasury Direct website and look at various products on the website including Treasury Bills, Treasury Notes, Treasury Bonds, and Savings Bonds. Links to The Wall Street Journal article and the Treasury Direct website are included below.  
Link: Inflation Isn’t Going Away? Some Tips on How to Buy TIPS - WSJ
Link: Home — TreasuryDirect

Episode 323: How does the US Treasury feel about AI in financial services?

This episode examines a report from the U.S. Department of the Treasury titled “Artificial Intelligence in Financial Services.” The report highlights uses, opportunities, and risks of AI in the financial services sector. Some of the potential risks highlighted include data privacy, security, quality standards, bias, explainability, hallucinations, impact on consumers, concentration-related risks, third-party risks, and illicit finance risks. The report also provides recommendations on how the financial services industry should proceed with AI in the future. A link to the report is included below.   
Link: Artificial-Intelligence-in-Financial-Services.pdf

Episode 322: Crypto romance scams grew 40% in 2024! (Crypto Series Part XV)

This episode examines two reports, one from the SEC titled “Fiscal Year 2024 Report on Activities” and one from Chainalysis titled “Crypto Scam Revenue 2024: Pig Butchering Grows Nearly 40% YoY as Fraud Industry Leverages AI and Increases in Sophistication.” Crypto fraud has seen a massive increase in recent years but Pig Butchering and other so called romance scams have become increasingly popular by fraudsters. Anyone can fall victim to these scams, so it is critical to understand how they work and how they are perpetrated on victims. Links to both reports are included below.  
Link: 2024 Pig Butchering Crypto Scam Revenue Grows 40% YoY as Industry Increases Sophistication
Link: SEC OIAD Report on Activities: Fiscal Year 2025

BND: Strategy Room 2-15-2025

The Banker Next Door (BND) weekly live stream show. Strategy Room provides financial news, commentary, top stories in the business world, economic indicators, and all things banking for the week.

Episode 321: What is going on with auto repossession?

This episode examines a recent report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that was issued in January 2025 titled “Repossession in Auto Finance.” In February 2023, the CFPB launched the auto finance data pilot to obtain data from various auto lenders regarding accounts originated or with servicing activity from January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2022. The level of available data on repossessions is significantly less compared to other credit markets. This study sought to provide more information around types of borrowers, how they may lose access to their vehicles, the consequences of vehicle loss, and repossession fees. A link to the report is included below.
Link: Repossession in Auto Finance