Ask a broker why 12b-1 fees exist and there will be a variety of answers: they cover marketing and distribution costs; processing and record-keeping costs in a 401(k) plan; payment for brokers; and sale of fund shares. The word brokers often leave out is: profit.

American International Group Inc. agreed to sell an Asian life insurance unit with 20 million customers to Prudential PLC for $35.5 billion in the company's biggest divestiture since it was bailed out by the U.S.

Being owned by a bank has handcuffed many mutual fund units. Just don't tell that to J.P. Morgan Funds. The JPMorgan Chase business line increased its assets under management 6.97% last year, to $445 billion, and now has its sights set on developing more assets through banks.

The slow start to Fifth Third's 3%-down mortgage illustrates some of the logistical challenges with such programs, which are on the rise across the industry.

The Mortgage Bankers Association has long been a staunch defender of the mortgage interest deduction. But the group's president and CEO now says he's open to Congress reducing, or even eliminating, the tax break.

The National Association of Realtors is urging policymakers to implement reforms meant to qualify more condominium buyers for Federal Housing Administration loans.

Bankers have become more uncertain about how to serve marijuana businesses owing to confusion about which states deem them essential.

Digital banking has ramped up during the coronavirus lockdown but customers will seek somewhere to go as cities reopen. A branch could provide that safe haven.

Merchants will need to adopt practices to curtail the surge in chargeback activity and protect their businesses, even after the worst of the coronavirus outbreak is over, says Chargeback 911's Monica Eaton-Cardone.