Miriam Cross

Banks and fintechs are coming together to help older customers with a variety of needs, from avoiding financial exploitation to planning for the future.

Michael Lewis takes a more sympathetic approach than many other observers to the former CEO of the crypto exchange FTX in his latest book, "Going Infinite."

A recent effort by Citigroup to nudge certain customers toward digital-only statements was well intended but too punitive, observers say. The key, they argue, for banks seeking to cut costs or achieve other goals is to offer incentives to those with ingrained habits.

Speakers at DC Fintech Week highlighted ways forward for regulators to keep pace with artificial intelligence, such as by setting up "guardrails" before guidelines.

The Federal Trade Commission penalized the finance app Brigit after alleging it misled customers about being able to access "up to" $250 in cash advances in exchange for a monthly fee and made it difficult for them to cancel their subscriptions.

Amazon, Apple, Meta, Alphabet and X have all been ramping up their ability to offer payments services, loans and other traditional bank products.

Charlie, a neobank marketed to people 62+, and Carefull, which partners with financial institutions, recently raised their Series A's. A third, called EverSafe, is embarking on its first fundraise.

The product-comparison site, which rates and ranks credit cards, is debuting its own secured credit card that it believes will help users improve their credit scores and pursue better offers.

American Banker's latest innovation report found that strategic corporate transactions are important for most banks but offer distinctive challenges. Fintech acquisitions give banks maximum control but can be hard to integrate if the buyers don't approach the process thoughtfully.

After scrambling to launch bots in the early pandemic, banks including Fifth Third and KeyBank are taking the time to thoughtfully design intelligent digital assistants with better navigation and seamless handoffs to human agents.

The credit bureau is embedding its Experian Boost feature in the new account, which aims to help people strengthen their credit profiles through on-time bill payments.

In technology and other departments, women can lead with much-needed "softer" qualities, panelists at the Most Powerful Women in Banking conference said.

U.S. Bancorp and Truist picked literal names for their virtual assistants to avoid confusing customers, while Fifth Third and Regions created characters called "Jeanie" and "Reggie" to put clients at ease. Other companies are trying to split the difference.

Ally Financial and Workers Credit Union say they've successfully infused marketing campaigns with AR to hype their brands and communicate their corporate values even as skeptics question whether customers are clamoring for the technology.

Thurlow is taking on a new leadership role: She becomes chair of the American Bankers Association in October. 

After 30 years working for corporate and investment banks, Wolff launched her own investment firm in 2021.

At the Sibos conference, cybersecurity leaders at banks and other experts debated how to train employees to thwart threats that AI has intensified.

Bank executives at the Sibos conference this week discussed how they are using predictive analytics and other technologies, and the fintech partnerships that move them forward.

The American Bankers Association found that 89% of the banks it surveyed feel that social media is important. But there is room for improvement in their practices.

Bank of America and TD Bank are finding that new employees and interns respond well to onboarding and training that takes place in the magical worlds of virtual reality.