BB&T-SunTrust deal came together with remarkable speed

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It took less than six months to hammer out the biggest bank merger in more than a decade, and the price was one of the last things discussed, according to a new federal filing.

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Can Citi and Chase beat fintechs at their own game?

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The upstart lenders have been chipping away at credit cards' consumer-lending dominance by offering fixed-rate loans with predictable repayment plans. Now the card giants are fighting back.

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BB&T-SunTrust seek FDIC as primary federal regulator

Signage for BB&T and SunTrust banks.
The combined bank would be chartered in North Carolina, with the FDIC serving as its lead federal regulator, N.C. Banking Commissioner Ray Grace says. The merger partners had other options, including the Fed and the OCC.

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FHFA chief-to-be's top priority: More capital for Fannie, Freddie

FHFA Director Mark Calabria
Mark Calabria, director of financial regulation studies with the Cato Institute, speaks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing with Richard Smith, chief executive officer of Realogy Corp., left, in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011. The committee discussed new ideas for refinancing and restructuring mortgage loans. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg *** Local Caption *** Richard Smith; Mark Calabria
Mark Calabria, who could be confirmed as early as this month, is expected to focus on changes to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's conservatorships to let the mortgage giants keep more of their profits.

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CECL spells trouble for small banks, consumers

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo.
The new accounting standard won't make community institutions safer, though implementation is proving burdensome and could restrict access to credit, argues Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer.

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Three big questions as Wells Fargo's CEO heads to Capitol Hill

Tim Sloan, chief executive officer and president of Wells Fargo, arrives to testify before a Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee hearing in Washington.
How well Tim Sloan fares before the House Financial Services Committee will hinge largely on his ability to stay on message in the face of what is expected to be sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers.

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Wells Fargo, PayPal back effort to fund female fintech entrepreneurs

Lisa Frazier at Quesnay
In the startup sector, female founders consistently receive far less venture capital than male founders, but a program by Quesnay is looking to change that.

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Do paycheck advance apps improve financial health?

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Apps that let people access their pay on demand have become wildly popular. Do they solve a problem, or are they Band-Aids?

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CFPB's Kraninger grilled over payday, military lending

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CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger
The bureau's director, Kathy Kraninger, faced a barrage of criticism from Senate Democrats on the agency's lack of enforcement actions, a reversal on Military Lending Act examinations and changes to the payday loans rule.

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Green Dot enlists social media influencers in banking-as-service push

Kim Kardashian
The digital lender and payments platform is tailoring its affinity banking services for a new market.

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