Build America Bonds from California, the biggest issuer of the taxable debt in 2010, outperformed the market in the past six weeks as the state's 7.25% yield lured investors unfazed by the lowest state credit rating.

DWS Investments, the mutual fund family owned by Deutsche Bank AG that is the successor to two storied U.S. fund firms, has had a turbulent history. But its executives say the business, built with acquisitions including the former Scudder Kemper Investments, is on course to notch its first year of positive net flows in several years. A big reason, the executives say, is an expansion and upgrade of its intermediary distribution force.

Investors who forget what they paid for shares of stock will get help starting in 2011, courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency issued a proposal Wednesday that would require mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to align their policies on cash flows for current mortgage-backed securities, and eventually for a uniform security when it is implemented next year.

The nation's largest bank said Wednesday it is seeking proposals on ways to address economic inequality in local neighborhoods across the country.

Housing finance reform is still likely years away, but a growing chorus of lawmakers say the government guarantor has the ability to clear the path to a final plan.

The concept amplifies spending visibility from the center of the business way out to its edges, creating more transparency.

Instead of injecting cash into Commonwealth National Bank, Regions Bank is taking a more targeted approach: providing funding for the community development financial institution to hire a commercial banker.

Payment firms and financial institutions are using SaaS for more functions, but that could open the door to SEC and other government oversight, says GRAX's Joe Gaska.