PBOC Announces Elimination of the Original Lending Rate Floor

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) announced the elimination of the original lending rate floor of 30% discount to benchmark, allowing banks to lend at any discount to benchmark lending rates as they see fit. The PBOC scrapped the cap on lending rates in 2004, and this move will fully liberalize lending rates for banks. Greater pricing flexibility will enable the banks to retain their … Continue reading PBOC Announces Elimination of the Original Lending Rate Floor

PBCT Loan Segment Shows Growth

People’s United Financial reported net income of $62.1 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2013 compared with $64.8 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2012. Loans across all categories showed strong growth during the quarter, increasing at an annualized rate of 13%. The net interest margin declined to 3.33% for the second quarter compared with … Continue reading PBCT Loan Segment Shows Growth

Comparable Sales Look Good For Chipotle

Chipotle saw a nice sequential uptick in comparable restaurant sales during the second quarter, with much of the 5.5% increase stemming from ongoing peak-hour traffic throughput efforts as well as greater call-to-action marketing. Entering the quarter, there were concerns that competitive pressures (emergent fast-casual restaurant competition and more aggressive promotional activity from traditional quick-service and casual-dining players) might neutralize some of the throughput and marketing … Continue reading Comparable Sales Look Good For Chipotle

Bitcoin News: Russia Proposes Monetary Penalties on Bitcoin Usage

The Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation has released the full version of the draft bill that, if passed in current form, would effectively ban the creation and distribution of software that allows for the use of money substitutes, including bitcoin and all digital currencies. First announced as a proposal in August, the news marks the first time that the Ministry of Finance has … Continue reading Bitcoin News: Russia Proposes Monetary Penalties on Bitcoin Usage

Loans Help Boost 2Q for USB

U.S. Bancorp USB reported net income of attributable to common shareholders of $1.4 billion, or $0.76 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2013 compared with $1.3 billion, or $0.71 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2012. Loans grew 7.4% compared with a year ago, primarily in commercial and residential loans. Low interest rates, primarily in investment securities, continued to pressure yields … Continue reading Loans Help Boost 2Q for USB

Bitcoin Speculation: Analysing Bitcoin’s Potential in Travel Industry

Though undeniably popular with its ardent supporters, bitcoin is arguably still searching for a practical application that makes it indispensable to mainstream users. That doesn’t mean there aren’t real use cases for bitcoin that could bring the kind of payments revolution many in the industry are hoping to achieve, though. Being both digital and decentralized, bitcoin is already a globalized electronic currency that operates across … Continue reading Bitcoin Speculation: Analysing Bitcoin’s Potential in Travel Industry