Sunday, March 22, 2020

Umpqua Bank Analysis

Umpqua Bank is a private financial holding company based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Its headquarters are located at Umpqua Bank Plaza in Portland. The bank engages in the commercial as well as retail banking. It also engages in the business of retail brokerage services.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Umpqua Bank Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The bank’s client services division offers financial services as well as products to individual customers. It has several holdings where it offers its customers personal checking as well as saving accounts, various insurance policies, unit investment trusts plus mutual funds. It also offers business checking as well as saving accounts. In addition the bank offers certificates of deposits as market accounts. Umpqua Bank is a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation which has existed since 1953 (Umpqua Bank, 2011). It was first established in Canyo nville, Oregon, by a group of people who engaged in the timber-logging business whose aim was to create an institution where they could cash their payroll checks. It was then named as South Umpqua State Bank and located at the Masonic Lodge. In 1972, the bank moved its headquarters to Roseburg, Oregon. The bank continued to expand; however, it took a major turn a major turn in 1994 when Ray Davis took over as President and CEO. Davis launched a new strategy as well as direction for the company (Umpqua Bank, 2011). He shortened the name to Umpqua Bank. By then, the company had total assets worth $150 million (Umpqua Bank, 2011). In 1995, the company launched its first retail-oriented flagship store at its headquarters in Roseburg. A year later, the bank established four new stores in Lane County to offer unique customer experience. In 1998, Umpqua Bank went public through initial public offering and was listed at NASDAQ OMX Stock Exchange. The following year, the bank became Umpqua H oldings Corporation and acquired Strand Atkinson Williams York brokerage firm.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In 2000, the bank company formed its first merger with Valley of the Rogue Bank. In 2003, it opened up a store in Portland’s Pearl District and World Greatest Bank University to offer bank-related courses. In 2004, the Bank expanded into California by acquiring Humboldt Bank Holding Company subsidiaries. In 2006, Umpqua opens a new store in Portland and also acquires Western Sierra Bancorp to become the largest community Bank in Sacramento region (Umpqua Bank, 2011). It opened a state-of-the-art technology in Portland’s Southwest waterfront in 2007 to offer new customer experience. It also acquired Vintage Bank in Napa, CA, the same year. In 2008, the company partnered with Energy Trust Oregon to establish GreenStreet Lending to small business at low -interest rates. In 2009, its eco-banking division began ways to make the company environmentally friendly (Umpqua Bank, 2011). In January 2009, Umpqua took over the deposits of Vancouver Bank from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (Kish, 2011). A year later, January 2010, the bank also took control of deposits of Seattle Evergreen Bank which had been closed by the Washington Department of Financial Institutions. In February the same year, the bank took over the deposits of Tacoma Bank from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Two months later, it reached an agreement with its owner, Rainier Pacific Bank, to purchase it from the FDIC (Kish, 2011). The company has three Board of Directors; Peggy Fowler, Luis Machuca and Hilliard Terry. Umpqua Bank is headed by Ray Davis, who is the President And CEO. Under him are Duff Greg, Vice President, Ken Vogt, Vice President, Craig Fair, Vice President Finance, Beth Fox, Vice President Technical Systems, Joe Plummer, V ice President, Network Engineer and Security, Angela Machado, Vice President, Business Development Officer, Dave Nelson, Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer, Ron Piatt, Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer, Donna Huntsman, Senior Vice President-Private, Rick Calero, Executive Vice President of Community Banking, Kelly Johnson, Executive Vice President-Asset Management, Sheryl Stanley, Assistant Vice President Accounting, Ross Blanchard Assistant Vice President Systems, Ric Carey, Executive Vice President of Store experience and Sales and Rich Sauter, Director Ebanking.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Umpqua Bank Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The next level executives are branch and division managers, system and credit analysts as well as auditors. Umpqua Holdings Corporations has an asset value of $8,324.6 million. The bank’s total trading assets as per the second quarter of 2010-11 fiscal year remained constant at $3 million while intangible assets also remained at $696 million during the whole period. Other assets were valued at $1179 million at the end of the second quarter having increased from $1624 million. Thus, at the close of the second quarter of the trading period, the bank’s asset value was $11460 million. Umpqua Bank’s return on assets over the last trailing twelve months was valued at 0.4% while asset turnover was 0.04% (Morningstar Equity Research, 2011). Umpqua Bank’s total deposits at the end of the second quarter were $9146 million as compared to last year’s total which was $9434 million at the close of that period (Morningstar Equity Research, 2011). Its short-term debts were $257 million at the close of the second quarter while its long-term debts stood at $184 million. At the same time, its net loans were $6397 millions. The bank’s total liabilities were $9785 million as compared to what was registered at the end of last trading period which was $10026 millions while its total equity increased from $1643 million to $1674 million ((Morningstar Equity Research, 2011). At the end of the second quarter, the company had acquired a net margin of 9.5% in the trailing 12 months with a financial leverage of 6.8%. Its return on equity in the trailing 12 months was 2.9% (Morningstar Equity Research, 2011). For more than 3 years, Umpqua Bank has faced non-stop credit quality problem which resulted from the recently experienced global recession. This has created losses in the previous financial years, 2007-2009. The bank is almost overcoming the loan problems.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It had to increase its lending rates to help it reduce its loan losses. However, the major problem that the bank faces now is how to maintain its credit quality as well as how to improve its declining loans. The bank’s Chief Executive reports that the company’s total loans decreased from $1.7 billion in 2009 to $1.6 billion in 2010 (Manning, 2011). The second quarter financial statement also show that the net loans declined from USD 6419 million in December 2010 to USD 6397 million in June 2011 (Morningstar Equity Research, 2011). The increase in the number of banks applying for bankruptcy in the region presents a great opportunity for expansion to the bank in already established markets. Umpqua has remained stronger in the region in the face of the bad loans as well as losses. The bank’s Chief Executive, Ray Davies, reports that FDIC has approached them thrice to buy deposits of failed banks (Manning, 2011). It has already purchased Tacoma Bank while Vancouver Bank plus Seattle Evergreen Bank still remain under its control though not yet purchased. Besides, with the introduction of Bassel III, several other banks may fail to meet the capital requirements. This will also present an opportunity to make acquisitions and to expand. The Commercial industry trends bound to affect Umpqua Bank The adoption of Bassel III is likely to affect the bank’s future business. Umpqua Bank may face problems in meeting Bassel III’s capital requirements. According to the Morningstar Equity Research (2011) Bassel III is an international agreement whose aim is to standardize certain banking safety requirements throughout the world. Bassel III will require banks to hold additional capital. It will place standards on the quality as well as quantity of capital required on banks. This means that banks will have to preserve Tier 1 common capital ratios so as to be able to absorb loan losses. Tier 1 capital will rise from the current 6% to 10.5% (Mornin gstar Equity Research, 2011). Bassel III will also eliminate some items like deferred tax assets from the core capital. Again the minimum common equity will increase from the current 2% to 7% (Morningstar Equity Research, 2011). Again, the Bassel III is yet to announce the definition of Systematically Important Financial Institution (SIFI). Companies classified as SIFI will be expected to hold additional not-yet-determined capital. This will have a significant impact on individual financial institution’s competitive advantage as they will have to acquire additional capital. Such move is likely to have a significant impact on Umpqua Bank should it fall under the SIFIs as it may affect the bank’s competitive position in the US. Since the banks merger with Valley of the Rogue Bank in 2000, the bank has expanded its market share to lead other financial institutions in Jackson County. By the end of June this year, the company’s deposits were measured at $456.5million which translated into 16.7% of the nation’s banking deposits (Stiles, 2011). The bank has been able to edge out other companies which were ahead of it in the market such as Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase. Umpqua Bank has grown over the years to accumulate more than $8 billion in assets. When Ray Davies took over in 1994 as the company’s CEO and President, the bank had only $150 million in assets (Tweel, 2008), however, it has grown over the years to reach $8.325 billion. In addition, Umpqua Bank has made significant expansions across Oregon, San Francisco, and Seattle among other regions. Currently, the bank boasts of over 180 branches (Davis, 2010). In May this year, Umpqua Bank was ranked top by the 2011 US Retail Banking Satisfaction Study for offering the best customer services (satisfaction). It was ranked highest in customer satisfaction (J. D. Power and Associates, 2011). Umpqua Bank’s attempts to leverage its credit quality and loan losses by increasing the lending rates have not worked well for the bank. Although it came up with the GreenStreet Lending program for small business, it did not implement other mechanisms which would encourage large businesses to acquire loans from the bank, and this has been the reason behind its falling loans. Umpqua Bank has been able to achieve stability and growth in the market and still continues to expand through acquisitions. However, it has to implement strategies which will allow it maintain its strength in the market as regards loans. Reference List Davis, R. (2010). Umpqua notes. Web. J. D. Power and Associates. (2011). Umpqua Bank ranked highest in the Northwest for customers satisfaction. Web. Kish, M. (2011). Umpqua profits climb, beat estimates. Portland Business Journal. Web. Manning, J. (2011). Umpqua Bank back in the black, says problem in the past. Web. Morningstar Equity Research. (2011). Umpqua Holdings Corporation UMPQ. Portland: Morningstar. Stiles, G. (2011). Umpqua Bank is ag ain no. 1 in local deposits. Web. Tweel, C. A. (2008). Leading for growth: Assessing the growth impact of Umpqua Bank’s cultural makeover. North Carolina Banking Institute, 12: 307-419. Umpqua Bank. (2011). Our roots: An interactive history timeline. Web. This essay on Umpqua Bank Analysis was written and submitted by user Otto Skinner to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Friday, March 6, 2020

How to Compare Two Novels in Comparative Essay

How to Compare Two Novels in Comparative Essay At some point in your literature studies, probably just about the time you get really good at finding the theme of a novel and coming up with a sound analysis of a single literary piece, you will be required to compare two novels. Your first task in this assignment will be to develop a good profile of both novels. You can do this by making a few simple lists of traits that might be comparable. For each novel, identify a list of characters and their roles in the story or important characteristics, and any important struggles, time periods, or major symbols (like an element of nature). You may also attempt to come up with book themes that could be comparable. Sample themes would include: Man versus nature (is each main character battling the elements?)Individual versus society (does each main character feel like an outsider?)Struggle between good and evil (are your characters involved in good v. evil scenarios?)Coming of age (do the main characters experience a tough lesson that makes them grow?) Your assignment will most likely give you direction as to whether you should find specific characters, story characteristics, or overall themes to compare. If it is not that specific, dont worry! You actually have a little more leeway. Comparing Two Novel Themes The teachers goal when assigning this paper is to encourage you to think and analyze. You no longer read for a surface understanding of what happens in a novel; you are reading to understand why things happen and what the deeper meaning  behind a character is a setting or an event. In short, you are expected to come up with an interesting comparative analysis. As an example of comparing novel themes, we will look at The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Red Badge of Courage. Both of these novels contain a coming of age theme since both have characters who grow a new awareness through tough lessons. Some comparisons you could make: Both characters have to explore the notion of civilized behavior in the societies where they exist.Each main character has to question the behavior of his male role models and his male peers.Each main character leaves his childhood home and encounters challenges. To craft an essay about these two novels and their similar themes, you would create your own list of similarities like those above, using a list, chart, or a Venn diagram. Sum up your overall theory about how these themes are comparable to create your thesis statement. Here is an example:​Both characters, Huck Finn and Henry Fleming, embark on a journey of discovery, and each boy finds new understanding when it comes to traditional notions about honor and courage. You will use your common characteristic list to guide you as you create body paragraphs. Comparing Main Characters in Novels If your assignment is to compare the characters of these novels, you would make a list or Venn diagram to make more comparisons: Both characters are young menBoth question societys notion of honorBoth witness behavior that makes them question their role modelsBoth have a nurturing female influenceBoth question their former beliefs Comparing two novels is not as difficult as it sounds at first. Once you generate a list of traits, you can easily see an outline emerging.