Note: This article is courtesy of Iris.xyz
By Bill Acheson
The proliferation of non-bank banking in the residential mortgage industry contributed to the great recession that began in 2008. Ironically, the consequences of the great recession have created the next phase of non-bank banking.
What is a non-bank bank?
So what is a non-bank bank? As defined by Wikipedia, a non-bank bank (also referred to as a non-bank financial institution (NBFI), is a financial institution that does not have a full banking license or is not supervised by a state or federal or banking regulatory agency.
A finance company that lends money for the purchase of a used car is a non-bank bank. An independent mortgage company making residential mortgages is another example. And how about online peer-to-peer lenders? Yep, that’s a non-bank bank, too – but more on that later.
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Back to the Future
America’s traditional banking industry, as represented by state and federally chartered banks whose deposits are state or federally insured, has changed significantly since the great recession. Two of the primary changes impacting traditional banks stem directly from the aftermath of the great recession: 1) increased capital requirements and 2) increased regulation. More capital (and changes to the way capital is calculated) and more restrictions on lending and investing activities should, in theory, equate to stronger banks, a stronger banking system, and more financial resilience during the next economic downturn.