Latest comments for http://www.ababj.com , comment 0 to 3 out of 3 comments http://www.ababj.com Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:18:31 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.ababj.com/myblog/hail-a-niche-does-your-bank-have-a-specialty.html#pc_857 I have spoken and written about the benefits of being known for "something" other than being a general bank. I also understand regulator concern regarding niche banking. There is a middle road. I do not believe a bank can rely solely on its niche. For example, a business bank relies significantly on retail deposits for funding. Carolyn Mroz's bank most likely is diversified with plain vanilla 1-4 family loans and commercial real estate. Therefore, be "known" for something, do it better than the competition, but have some marbles in other products and lines of business as well. ~ Jeff www.jeff-for-banks.blogspot.com - Jeff Marsico Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:53:53 +0100 http://www.ababj.com/myblog/hail-a-niche-does-your-bank-have-a-specialty.html#pc_744 During the last few years, we have developed a non-owner-occupied lending niche. In particular, we have been funding rehab loans on 1-4 family properties in the city neighborhoods. Typically these properties are foreclosed or distressed sales. The buyer does extensive renovations using a construction-to- permanent loan product. Once completed, the properties are rented to low-to-moderate income tenants. - Frank Campbell, president and CEO, Pilgrim Bank, Cohasset, Mass. Wed, 29 Dec 2010 10:56:12 +0100 http://www.ababj.com/myblog/hail-a-niche-does-your-bank-have-a-specialty.html#pc_626 We are very involved with financing mobile homes in mobile home parks. We have done this since 1988 with conservative underwriting and much success. We work with both dealers and brokers. They are handled like auto financing, with a reserve account to cover delinquencies. There are not many community banks doing this financing in our market, so we are able to develop relationships fairly easily with these dealers and brokers. It has worked well. - Carolyn Mroz, president and CEO, Bay-Vanguard Federal Savings Bank, Baltimore, Md. Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:36:29 +0100