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 store-branded card issuer is raising annual percentage rates and adding fees for paper statements to compensate for lost revenue. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's new regulation is scheduled to take effect on May 14.
By Polo RochaApril 24 -
The Detroit-based company is exploring ways to make more consumer auto loans without running afoul of stricter capital standards that are expected from the Federal Reserve. Possible approaches include more securitizations and the use of credit risk transfers.
By Polo RochaApril 18 -
Rising deposit costs have plagued banks in general, and the Tennessee bank had to pay up to bolster liquidity after its failed merger with TD. But First Horizon retained customers in the first quarter while not paying them the special rates they got last year.
By Polo RochaApril 17 -
The New York megabank is working to deploy artificial intelligence as it seeks to make its own operations more efficient. Solomon also sees an "unprecedented" opportunity in financing clients' needs as they invest in AI.
By Polo RochaApril 15 -
JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo said the battle for deposits isn't over — a reality denting their ability to earn more interest income. Regional banks will likely report similar pains next week.
By Polo RochaApril 12 -
Large U.S. banks have mostly staved off previous shareholder-backed efforts to ensure their CEOs also don't lead their boards. The issue will soon be put to a vote at JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Goldman Sachs.
By Polo RochaApril 12 -
Some online banks that offer high-yield savings accounts are making those products a little less high-yielding. Banks are also shortening the duration of new CDs, hoping that anticipated rate cuts by the Fed will enable them to start paying less to consumers.
By Polo RochaApril 9 -
The Long Island bank is trying to come back from a month-long spiral that sunk its stock price some 80%.
By Polo RochaApril 5 -
Letitia James, the New York state attorney general, sued Citigroup and argued it should be liable for fraud cases involving consumer wire transfers. But Citi said the AG's view would bring about a "sea change in banking law."
By Polo RochaApril 3 -
Banking regulators and the Department of Justice must decide whether the blockbuster deal raises antitrust concerns. Looming over their analyses are questions about how broadly or narrowly to define the relevant markets.
By Polo RochaApril 2 -
The Cleveland-based regional bank is shedding credit risk in a partnership with the private equity giant Blackstone. It's the latest tie-up between asset managers and regional banks that are looking to free up balance-sheet capacity.
By Polo RochaMarch 20 -
Larger banks are responsible for a special assessment to cover the costs of the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. The price tag has ballooned by $4.1 billion, and trade groups are criticizing the FDIC's process, arguing that it lacks transparency.
By Polo RochaMarch 13 -
Midsize lenders have largely defied the most dire predictions following Silicon Valley Bank's demise. But the nation's largest banks still have structural advantages, and the regionals remain hampered by their real-estate heavy portfolios and the continuing impact of high interest rates.
By Polo RochaMarch 11 -
The Long Island bank plans to balance its loan mix and fix its risk controls. But following a large capital injection led by two former Trump administration officials, the new leadership is asking for more time to formulate its strategy.
March 7 -
Former Trump administration officials Steven Mnuchin and Joseph Otting are headlining an investment group that's seeking to rescue the troubled Long Island lender. Otting is expected to serve as CEO, and Mnuchin will have a board seat.
By Polo RochaMarch 6 -
The auditing giant KPMG audited the three regional banks that failed last year. New York Community's recent disclosures that it had financial reporting weaknesses in 2023 raises new questions over the auditors' role.
By Polo RochaMarch 5 -
New York Community Bancorp faced new questions Friday after a flurry of disclosures led to a steep sell-off in its stock. The embattled Long Island-based lender beefed up its risk leadership, but Fitch cut its rating to "junk" status.
March 1 -
Royal Bank of Canada is optimistic that new U.S. leadership, including former Fifth Third CEO Greg Carmichael, can rejuvenate its struggling City National Bank.
By Polo RochaFebruary 28 -
CEO Charlie Scharf has added another former JPMorgan Chase colleague to his leadership team as his shake-up of Wells Fargo continues. The hire of veteran investment banker Doug Braunstein comes as Scharf makes progress on his efforts to grow Wells' investment bank.
By Polo RochaFebruary 27 -
The Salt Lake City company has promoted Paul Burdiss, its chief financial officer, to succeed A. Scott Anderson as president and CEO of its banking unit. It also named a new CFO and a new general counsel.
By Polo RochaFebruary 26




















