Journal Article
Check cashers: moving from the fringes to the financial mainstream
Nathan, Luxman; Jean-Paul, Lesly (1999-07)
Once relegated to the margins of the financial services industry, check cashing outlets (CCO's) are now more visible parts of the urban landscape. Check cashers offer convenient check clearing and bill payment services, mostly tailored to meet the needs of the "unbanked" in low-and moderate income communities. The industry has grown dramatically over the years and is generating new products and services to meet the needs of its niche clientele. While some argue that check cashers are offering marginalized lower income Americans more responsive products than those available from banks, ...
Communities and Banking , Issue Sum , Pages 2-15

Journal Article
Finance companies vs. small banks in rural commercial lending
Nathan, Luxman (1998-10)
In rural New England, it used to be the small community banks that dominated small business lending. However, nonlocal finance companies are aggressively entering rural banking markets, adding a new element of competition.
Communities and Banking , Issue Fall , Pages 8-13

Journal Article
www.your-community-bank.com: community banks are going online
Nathan, Luxman (1999-10)
Responding to threats from competitors smaller, community-based banks are beginning to venture online through web site development and Internet banking services. The Internet is seen as an "equalizer" allowing even the smallest, geographically-limited institution the opportunity to reach a wider customer base without having to build expensive branches. But what happens to the community bank when it throws open its doors in cyberspace? Luxman Nathan looks at the involvement of community banks with Internet banking and examines some of the potential challenges they face as they adopt this ...
Communities and Banking , Issue Fall , Pages 2-8

Journal Article
The growing securitization of small business loans
Nathan, Luxman (1998-07)
Recent developments in the capital markets aim to bring improved liquidity and other benefits to lenders, mostly through the sale of securities backed by small business and even microenterprise loans.
Communities and Banking , Issue Sum , Pages 2-8

Journal Article
Borrower beware: equity strippers are preying on elderly homeowners
Nathan, Luxman (1999-04)
While most subprime home equity lenders provide a valuable service for marginally creditworthy borrowers, certain disreputable lenders are engaging in more predatory lending practices. Equity strippers target elderly homeowners who are often cash poor but equity rich. These predatory lenders often convince lower-income elderly homeowners to take in high rate, high fee, second mortgages which ultimately lead to foreclosure. Luxman Nathan of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston highlights some of the techniques used by equity strippers and what regulatory and legal options are available for ...
Communities and Banking , Issue Spr , Pages 6-17

Journal Article
Political economy of Indian gaming: the New England experience
Nathan, Luxman; Henson, Eric (2000-01)
Communities and Banking , Issue Win , Pages 2-12

Journal Article
Adopting commercial codes: overcoming lending barriers on reservations
Nathan, Luxman; Henson, Eric (1999-01)
Eric Henson of The Economics Resource Group, Inc., and Luxman Nathan of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston highlight a legal obstacle to providing increased banking services to Native American reservations. As "sovereign dependent" nations, native American reservations are not governed by the same commercial laws that operate at the state level. In particular, the lack of commercial codes, which regulate commercial transactions within a given jurisdiction, hampers tribal efforts to obtain greater access to banking services. However, a number of tribes are beginning to draft and adopt ...
Communities and Banking , Issue Win , Pages 13-20

Journal Article
Insurance industry reinvestment: the Massachusetts experience
Kriesberg, Joseph; Nathan, Luxman; Luquetta, Andrea Caliz (1999-01)
Joseph Kriesberg and Andrea Caliz Luquetta of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC) outline the provisions in a new statewide law, An Act Insuring Community Investment and the Equitable Taxation of Insurance Companies in Massachusetts. In exchange for tax relief, this legislation requires insurance providers operating within the Commonwealth to contribute to two investment pools for economic development. Could this approach serve as a model for similar initiatives in other states?
Communities and Banking , Issue Win , Pages 2-8

Journal Article
Electronic fund transfer & the \\"unbanked\\"
Nathan, Luxman (1998-10)
As the Federal Government moves to switch most federal payments from paper check delivery to Direct Deposit by January 2, 1999, the Electronic Fund Transfer Initiative (EFT) attempts to educate consumers and serve the "unbanked."
Communities and Banking , Issue Fall , Pages 17-19