blk911 |
10-17-2008 03:34 PM |
The credit crisis is the reticence of the money center banks (read mega banks) to lend to each other for overnight borrowings. Basically, every bank at the close of each day either borrows money to cover it's existing loans or if they have deposits in excess of loans and required reserves, then they lend those funds to other institutions in need. Basically, if you don't know how ugly another bank's balance sheet might be or not completely confident they can pay you back, you don't loan them the money. Usually, that bank could just then go the the Fed window (Fed Funds, Discount window) and borrow from them, unless they are maxed on their credit limit or the Fed has otherwise recognized them as impaired.
Community banks are generally not in this situation and are still eager to do business with good customers. Maybe a power shift, although the recent bail out is releveling the playing field to the chagrin of the community bankers. Community banks are always a better bet for the small business and middle market business owner. Trust me on this, I have worked for both the mega banks and community banks, smaller is usually better.
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