PORTLAND -- Last week, we looked at issues surrounding the failure of many banks in the U.S., and noted that Maine's banking industry is remarkably robust, considering the crisis nationally. Not a single Maine bank has failed, and none are currently on the 'trouble list' prepared by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). We spoke to Chris Pinkham, President of the Maine Association of Community Banks to discuss why his membership seems to be stronger than other community and regional banks across the country.

Banks doing business in Maine are almost equally divided in terms of asset size between those who are governed by state charter and those who are governed by federal charter, although in terms of number, more Maine banks are state chartered. There are definite differences in how the regulation of banks works depending on whether the bank operates under a state charter or a federal charter.

While the Coastal Journal is strongly in favor of alternative sources of energy, including wind, tidal, hydro, and solar, we must also be realistic about the ability of those sources to provide energy on demand, especially during peak hours when wind energy is comparatively lessened.