Polo Rocha is a Washington D.C.-based reporter who covers 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 quickly shifting deposit picture — an effect of the Federal Reserve's rapid interest rate increases — is prompting many banks to raise rates to prevent depositors from leaving. Several institutions saw their loan-to-deposit ratios jump above 100% during the third quarter.
By Polo RochaNovember 13 -
A ballot initiative that places additional restrictions on debt collectors and decreases the interest rates that can be charged on medical debt passed Tuesday by an overwhelming margin. Consumer advocates say it will ease the burden on households dealing with hardship, but industry groups contend that it will make credit more expensive.
By Polo RochaNovember 10 -
During the third quarter, revenues at the online consumer lender fell by 31% from the previous three months. CEO Dave Girouard expressed dissatisfaction but also argued that the company's lending model is working as intended.
By Polo RochaNovember 9 -
Executives from PNC, Regions and M&T are expressing confidence that their loan books can withstand a recession. "We don't see crisis-type things in front of us right now," said PNC Chief Financial Officer Robert Reilly.
By Polo RochaNovember 3 -
The online consumer lender has told about 140 employees who process loan applications that it is eliminating their positions. The job cuts come as Upstart struggles to get banks and other investors interested in buying enough of its loans.
By Polo RochaNovember 2 -
Kristy Fercho, who's run the bank's home lending division since August 2020, will report directly to CEO Charlie Scharf and sit on the operating committee. Last year, she became the first Black person to chair the Mortgage Bankers Association, and she took the top spot in American Banker's Most Powerful Women to Watch this year.
By Polo RochaNovember 1 -
The agreement, which still needs court approval, should help what remains of the online small-business lender as it moves through bankruptcy proceedings. After Kabbage emerged as a major Paycheck Protection Program lender, some of its key assets were sold to American Express.
By Polo RochaOctober 31 -
Pricing discipline at the Georgia bank contributed to a 3.5% quarter-over-quarter decline in deposits. To stem the tide, the company plans to lean into core deposits, brokered deposits and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank System.
By Polo RochaOctober 20 -
Yet the Detroit company's stock fell more than 8% after its earnings report, indicating the market "seems more tentative" than Ally about the credit outlook, one analyst said.
By Polo RochaOctober 19 -
Rather than trying to reach the masses, which proved to be expensive, Goldman is focusing on marketing its online banking platform to its existing pool of wealth management clients. The investment bank has learned that it's "better to play to our strengths," CEO David Solomon said Tuesday.
By Polo RochaOctober 18