Article: Profit in passbook? Not yet; Fierce competition in a glutted market is making it rough for a wave of new banks to get a foothold.(Finance)(banking industry)

Byline: H. LEE MURPHY

It's easier to launch a bank than to make money at it.

The 2003 Chicago-area bank performance rankings compiled for Crain's by Schaumburg-based Plansmith Corp. finds that 14 banks-or 6% of the total-lost money last year, while dozens more posted subpar profits.

The bottom of the list is dominated by banks chartered since the late 1990s. Many have struggled in a market weighed down by recession and competition from Bank One Corp., Washington Mutual Inc. and others-mega-banks that are on course to add more than 200 new branches to the Chicago area by 2006.

Profits, in the meantime, are in a vise. Of the 229 ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!