The four largest U.S. banks face investor pressure to deliver the returns of smaller rivals, but they complain that the federal deposit cap and capital rules make that difficult. So they're pouring money into wealth management, payments and digital banking to seize more market share in existing businesses and fend off nonbank challengers.

Rising inflation could lead to a rate hike, bolstering lenders' profits in 2022. Improved credit quality and an economic rebound are also fueling investment in the sector.

The London-based banking giant announced a plan this week to exit the mass-market U.S. retail business and focus on managing the wealth of affluent globe-trotters. But other international banks will provide stiff competition.

A Connecticut-based couple sued the bank and Cavanaugh Appraisals, LLC for denying them a refinance in 2021 because of racial bias.

The Fed's announcement is responsible for a 19 basis point drop in the 10-year yield over a two-day period, pushing the 30-year fixed under 7% for the first time since August, Freddie Mac said.

Recent economic data pushed investors toward Treasurys over the past week, driving 10-year yields to as low as 4.1%.

With vast amounts of capital locked in privately held companies, both employees of those companies and average investors would benefit from a loosening of the rules restricting private investment.

The decision to stop requiring U.S. companies to report beneficial ownership information is misguided. The compliance burden could be substantially eased by collecting the data at the state level.

Financial inclusion cannot be allowed to become a meaningless set of buzzwords. Strong economic growth and future prosperity hinges on the ability of everyone in society to access financial services.