Polo Rocha is a Mexico-based freelance reporter who worked at American Banker from 2021 to early 2025, covering consumer finance and national banking trends. He previously covered the Federal Reserve at S&P Global Market Intelligence and state politics at WisPolitics.com. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has a master's in finance degree from Johns Hopkins University.
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The bank's tech-sector focus contributed to its rapid demise. But the reasons for its failure come down to the nuts and bolts of banking, and other banks may have similar vulnerabilities.
March 12 -
The tech-heavy bank had been in freefall since Wednesday, when it announced $1.8 billion in bond-related losses and a plan to raise more capital. The stunning demise left questions about the fate of its many uninsured depositors.
By Polo RochaMarch 10 -
Shares in Silicon Valley Bank's parent company plunged 60% after executives announced they would sell a large bond portfolio at a big loss. The market "seems to be pricing in greater liquidity needs" than the bank currently anticipates, one analyst said.
By Polo RochaMarch 9 -
Consumers who aren't proficient in English have long struggled to get help from banks in their preferred language. Banks and regulators are trying to fix that, but the solution has taken years.
By Polo RochaMarch 9 -
The new offering will allow consumers to finance purchases of gear, parts, maintenance and fuel for ATVs, boats and motorcycles. The powersports sector has enjoyed strong growth since the early days of the pandemic.
By Polo RochaMarch 8 -
The dataset, developed by Federal Reserve researchers, will give historians and students a far easier way to examine banks' performance between 1867 and 1904. The period was one of significant instability, which ultimately prompted the creation of the Fed.
By Polo RochaMarch 7 -
More than 90% of appraisers are white, and researchers have found that bias leads to lower valuations for homeowners of color. A Flagstar executive said the mortgage-focused bank is "not just going to sit on the sidelines and watch this happen."
By Polo RochaMarch 3 -
While Goldman Sachs is still pushing to make its expansion into consumer lending profitable, the bank is also weighing strategic alternatives, CEO David Solomon says. The dueling options reflect the problems that Wall Street giant faces in Main Street banking.
By Polo RochaFebruary 28 -
The Minneapolis company previously disclosed an investigation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in connection with its management of prepaid cards for unemployment benefits during the pandemic. Now the bank says the agency is considering a potential enforcement action.
By Polo RochaFebruary 28 -
The rise of e-commerce during the pandemic has fueled demand for warehouse space as companies look to move their products closer to their customers. While a slight slowdown is now under way, bankers still see plenty of business ahead.
By Polo RochaFebruary 24 -
The Los Angeles bank, which disclosed the layoffs in a securities filing, is undergoing a broader restructuring under its new CEO. The bank expects $30 million to $40 million of savings per year from the job cuts.
By Polo RochaFebruary 21 -
If the industry's largest players reported more payment information to the credit bureaus, many consumers would qualify for better offers from competitors, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said. It's the latest example of the bureau's increased scrutiny of credit card companies.
By Polo RochaFebruary 21 -
About 3% of borrowers in their 20s and 30s became seriously delinquent on their credit card payments last quarter, significantly faster than older consumers. The picture was similar in auto lending, according to research by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
By Polo RochaFebruary 16 -
A pullback by the buyers of Upstart's consumer loans led to a "challenging year," CEO Dave Girouard told analysts. But he added that the company is in "late-stage discussions" with partners that are looking to make longer-term commitments.
By Polo RochaFebruary 15 -
The San Francisco bank entered into a multiyear partnership with Choice Hotels, which operates brands such as Radisson, Comfort and Econo Lodge. The company had previously partnered on its credit cards with Barclays.
By Polo RochaFebruary 14 -
Banks that previously based more of their incentive compensation decisions on loan production are recalibrating this year. It is the latest sign of how competitive the deposit market has gotten.
By Polo RochaFebruary 12 -
Markets are beginning to price in a higher federal funds rate target as Federal Reserve officials hint at more restrictive policies to tamp down inflation.
By Polo RochaFebruary 8 -
In February 2018, the Federal Reserve prohibited the San Francisco-based bank from growing beyond $1.95 trillion. Five years later, analysts, investors and lawmakers are left with more questions than answers about the unprecedented enforcement action.
February 7 -
Regulators are bringing enforcement cases while also proposing wider changes that would alter the industry for years to come. The scrutiny covers pricing discrimination, products that make car purchases more expensive and lenders' handling of repossessions.
By Polo RochaFebruary 6 -
After soured loans rose above the private student lender's expectations in 2022, its stock price fell 16% on Thursday. One analyst wrote that "persistent credit issues have damaged management's credibility."
By Polo RochaFebruary 3



















