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OCC Announces Bank, Federal Savings Association Growth in South

Financial conditions are improving in the Southern United States, according to a report released by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

The report, which details the performance of national banks and federal savings associations (FSAs), showed that nine states in the OCC’s Southern District showed improvement in 2014. Those states included Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

Of the 455 banks and FSAs in those states, 91 percent had a composite rating of one or two. These are the highest ratings an institution can get and indicate strong growth.

According to Gil Barker, deputy comptroller for the OCC’s Southern District, much of this improvement can be attributed to a growing loans market.

“The rate of loan growth doubled across the district last year,” Barker said. “Growth accelerated significantly in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Arkansas, Georgia, and Oklahoma. Community national banks and FSAs in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee saw new overall loan growth for the first time in several years.”

From December 2013 to December 2014, loans by community national banks and FSAs in the Southern District rose by 8 percent. On a state-by-state basis, Texas saw the most growth, jumping 11 percent year over year. Louisiana saw a 9-percent jump, Florida an 8-percent one, and Arkansas fell just about 7 percent. Georgia and Oklahoma both saw 7 percent increases.

Though oil prices are declining and could affect the economic markets in the South, Barker said he expects the growth to continue.

“A large majority of borrowers were in satisfactory financial condition at the end of 2014 because they had strengthened their financial positions when oil prices were higher,” Barker said. “The OCC is closely monitoring oil price changes and expects national banks and federal savings associations with direct and indirect exposure to frequently evaluate and stress test portfolios.”

According to the OCC’s report, the number of floundering community banks and FSAs in the South dropped over the last year. At the end of 2014, only 43 of these institutions remained in dire straits. In 2013, the total was 71, while in 2012 and 2011, they were 133 and 148, respectively.

But if those numbers are going to continue improving, Barker said strict underwriting standards are crucial.

“Strong competition for good quality loans in most markets is affecting pricing and putting pressure on underwriting,” Barker said. “In this environment, banks should take care to maintain strong underwriting standards and appropriate risk management practices.”

About Author: Aly J. Yale

Aly J. Yale is a freelance writer and editor based in Fort Worth, Texas. She has worked for various newspapers, magazines, and publications across the nation, including The Dallas Morning News and Addison Magazine. She has also worked with both the Five Star Institute and REO Red Book, as well as various other mortgage industry clients on content strategy, blogging, marketing, and more.
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