Street Talk

Digital lenders have enjoyed explosive growth but no longer are seen as pure disruptors to the banking industry as partnerships with traditional lenders have grown. Nimayi Dixit, research analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence, explains how digital lenders have been successful and why many of their models likely will continue to evolve into fee-based, technology providers for banks.

Several big banks have enjoyed early success in attracting new funds through national digital platforms and community banks should take notice as the battle for deposits heats up. The episode highlights the digital strategies employed by banks like Citizens Financial, PNC Financial and Goldman Sachs and features commentary from the management teams of those institutions.

Hurricane Maria caused close to $90 billion in damages in the Caribbean and took the lives of a nearly 3,000 people in Puerto Rico. The storm devastated telecommunications services and turned the island into a cash economy, making funds scarce for many banking customers. Lindsey White, who manages S&P Global's financial institutions' news team, visited Puerto Rico and spoke with bankers, regulators and members of the community about the aftermath of the storm, how banks responded and the market opportunities that lie ahead.

U.S. IPO activity rebounded in the second quarter while big-ticket deals continued to drive growth in M&A activity. Favorable conditions remain in place and could help 2018 close near record levels, according to Joe Mantone, senior editor at S&P Global Market Intelligence. Mantone said that all means good things for investment banks, which are expected to fly high on strong results this year.

The leveraged loan market has ballooned to record levels and the concentration of covenant-lite deals has grown in kind, leaving investors with less protection if loans move into default. Tim Cross, managing editor LCD news, and Marina Lukatsky, director of LCD research, discuss the current state of the market and why they aren't sounding an alarm yet.

Greg Hertrich, managing director and head of U.S. depository strategies at Nomura, believes deposit competition should intensify further as interest rates move higher and a handful of large banks roll out national deposit platforms. He discussed how other banks could follow the move and how higher rates are one of rising risk factors that could challenge credit quality.

KBW President and CEO Tom Michaud discussed the disconnect between banks' strong fundamental performance and investors' trepidation toward to the group. The Street has also reacted negatively to a handful of big-ticket bank deals, but Michaud believes large bank M&A activity will pick up.

Joe Fenech, head of equity research at Hovde Group, discussed current bank stock valuations, the growing importance of deposits in valuing franchises and the market's increased skepticism toward M&A, including transactions that appear favorable for the buyer.

Mick Mulvaney, the acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, has changed the way the agency operates and reduced enforcement actions against banks. Now, Mulvaney is turning his attention to a powerful tool used by the agency called the civil investigative demand. S&P Global Market Intelligence colleague Brian Cheung discusses how the CFPB uses the tool and what changes could mean for banks and consumers.

CD specials are back. More banks are offering the promotional rates on CDs, or certificates of deposits, to attract new customers. While that is good news for savers, it means funding costs likely will rise even more for banks. The episode shines a light on recent CD rates offered by banks and features commentary on smart deposit strategies from Bruce Hinkle of StoneCastle Cash Management and KeyCorp CFO Donald Kimble.