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.
-
The online bank's decision to stop charging the fees is part of a broader reassessment across the industry. Ally had waived overdraft fees early in the pandemic and has historically been less reliant on them than many other institutions.
June 2 -
The store-branded credit card issuer is expanding from three sales divisions to five, a move that CEO Brian Doubles says will help by “aligning our organization for faster growth and execution.”
June 1 -
Acquiring the U.K. bank’s East Coast branches and online-only bank is “great for our balance sheet, great for our physical footprint” and will accelerate the growth of Citizens’ own direct bank, says Chief Executive Bruce Van Saun.
May 27 -
Events that unfolded in Minneapolis a year ago ultimately led to debt relief for Black farmers, bigger investments in Black banks, greater support for public banking, and more.
May 25 -
In an interview, the Hong Kong native spoke about the fears of his employees, 74% of whom are Asian American, as well as about his optimism regarding hate crime legislation President Biden signed last week. East West and several other banks have donated to groups working to track and reduce the recent spike in anti-Asian violence.
May 25 -
The two companies are the first banks to sign on to a philanthropic initiative from the asset manager BlackRock. The aim is to test ideas that make it easier for more households to establish financial safety nets.
May 20 -
Only 0.9% of mortgage borrowers are currently at least 90 days delinquent. That figure could rise as high as 3.8% once pandemic-related deferrals lapse — still well below the 6% mark reached after the Great Recession, according to research by the New York Fed.
May 19 -
Cardholders can now opt for installment loans at the point of sale on Amex's travel platform.
May 13 -
The reduction in debt during the first quarter was the second largest on record, according to a new report by the New York Fed. Government stimulus payments and continuing limitations on travel and entertainment spending are key factors.
May 12 -
After more than 100 years of mostly in-person operations, the subprime installment lender is seeking to adapt to changing consumer preferences — launching an online loan platform just before the pandemic and recently striking a deal to acquire a financial wellness app.
May 10 -
The nation’s largest mortgage lender plans to use a new partnership with the financial technology company AutoFi to sell more cars to its home loan customers.
May 5 -
More than a year into the pandemic, with the U.S. economy improving and consumers having paid down debt, bankers are finally loosening the reins in auto lending and credit cards.
May 5
