Alan Kline

Though the agency has reported record loan volume in recent years, many lenders and borrowers remain reluctant to use its programs because they view its application process as too cumbersome and its eligibility requirements as too strict.

Banks and thrifts are boosting their investments in bank-owned life insurance in an effort to keep pace with rising employee benefits costs and generate additional income.

Interest-only home loans are viewed as somewhat risky by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, but that is unlikely to stop the San Francisco bank from making them, its CEO says.

Karen Mills is stepping down as the head of the Small Business Administration. On her watch the agency supported $106 billion of loans to small businesses, including a record $30.5 billion in fiscal year 2011.

A family trust set up by CVB Financial (CVBF) co-founder George Borba is considering selling up to 2 million shares for tax and estate planning purposes.

Payments processor Elavon is expanding its distribution network in Canada with a deal to acquire Toronto-based Collective Point of Sale Solutions.

Improved asset quality and a surge in mortgage lending powered HomeStreet Bank (HMST) in Seattle to record earnings in 2012.

The global awareness campaign will focus on educating companies — especially those in developing countries — and working with regulators to establish more consistent capital guidelines.

The Minnesota bank is generating strong profits on its specialty lending, but is the run-up in its stock price a validation of that strategy or investors hoping that it will be acquired?

Aided by its first whole-bank acquisition in seven years, City Holding Company (CHCO) in Charleston, W.Va., reported a $10.9 million profit in the fourth quarter of 2012, up 13% from the same quarter a year earlier.

After spending the last few years paying down debts, consumers appear ready to increase their borrowing again, lenders say.

VantageSouth Bank's team of seasoned construction lenders will only target the most qualified builders in communities where demand for new homes is high, executives say.

Bank of America (BAC) is said to be eyeing more sales of mortgage servicing rights following its announcement Monday that it is selling $300 billion of servicing rights to two separate buyers.

The Maryland companies have moved the deadline for terminating the deal while they await Fed approval. Carrollton also said Friday that its CFO will resign in January.

JPMorgan Chase (JPM) has named a new chief executive of mortgage banking as part of a broader plan to better align mortgage lending with its other consumer and retail initiatives.

Banks might have more success winning over underbanked consumers if they lowered initial deposit requirements and offered banking services to noncustomers, according to a new report from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

Flush with capital from a recent stock sale, Northeast has launched an online bank, established a nationwide loan-purchasing unit and, most recently, opened a mortgage office in Massachusetts.

Joe L. Albritton, the longtime chairman and chief executive at Riggs National Bank in Washington, died of heart failure Wednesday in a Houston hospital, according to the Washington Post. He was 87.

Capital One Financial (COF) has raided rival SunTrust Banks (STT) to help bolster its small-business lending team.

Capital One has grown its commercial and industrial loans by double digits over the past year, but CEO Richard Fairbank is prepared to pull back if the battle for business clients becomes any more intense.