Kevin Wack is American Banker's national editor, and is based in southern California. He was formerly the publication's consumer finance reporter and its Capitol Hill correspondent. Earlier, he worked on financial policy in Washington. He has also reported for the Associated Press and worked as the investigative reporter for the Portland Press Herald in Maine.
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The card activation process is relatively low-tech, but since its introduction nearly three decades ago it has been hugely effective in preventing credit cards from falling into the wrong hands. Among its pioneers was Ash Gupta, American Express’ president of global credit risk, who is retiring next month.
By Kevin WackFebruary 16 -
The bank’s unsullied image took a hit when it admitted to misleading regulators regarding its efforts to combat money laundering.
By Kevin WackFebruary 15 -
The Pew Charitable Trusts has released a set of 10 standards for banks and credit unions that want to to offer small loans to subprime customers. Among its ideas: keep monthly payments at or below 5% of the borrower’s paycheck and make loans available quickly through digital channels.
By Kevin WackFebruary 15 -
The Pew Charitable Trusts has released a set of 10 standards for banks and credit unions that want to offer small loans to subprime customers. Among its ideas: keep monthly payments at or below 5% of the borrower’s paycheck and make loans available quickly through digital channels.
By Kevin WackFebruary 15 -
The online small-business lender is enjoying a payoff from its year-old push to cut costs and tighten underwriting standards. It is also set to announce another lending agreement with a major bank this year, its CEO said Tuesday.
By Kevin WackFebruary 13 -
Neptune Financial plans to use technology to improve the efficiency in making loans to companies with $10 million to $100 million in annual revenue.
By Kevin WackFebruary 13 -
It’s not just hourly workers who struggle to make ends meet — many managers also often find themselves short on cash each month. To help employees cope, the retail chain is using a tool developed by the fintech Even to give them access to their wages before the next pay period.
By Kevin WackFebruary 8 -
The one-notch downgrade, announced Wednesday, came in response to the Fed's unprecedented decision to halt asset growth at the embattled bank.
By Kevin WackFebruary 7 -
The results suggest that even as financial institutions implement more sophisticated fraud-mitigation techniques, they have not been keeping pace with criminals.
By Kevin WackFebruary 6 -
A Georgia Supreme Court case sheds light on the lengths that the often assailed industry has gone to shape policy outcomes. It also raises the question of whether, in evaluating industry-funded research, it is enough to assess the published study itself, or if it is necessary to dig deeper.
By Kevin WackFebruary 5