BankThink

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There’s a critical discussion of peer-to-peer lending in the blogosphere this week that’s definitely worth a read.

In case you missed it in the Morning Scan, an Op-Ed in today's Wall Street Journal by Arkadi Kuhlmann, CEO of ING Direct USA, offers one of the clearest explanations we've seen for the less-than-stellar results of the Home Affordable Modification Program, or HAMP. (Aside from the fact that HAMP doesn't reduce a borrower's principal, that is.)

The banking industry could defy the old adage about sticks and stones. All the name-calling in Washington these days has the potential to do real damage to banks and the economy.

Editorials on President Obama’s proposed bank tax have been remarkably harmonious, with the majority of media outlets saying that while it may be politically motivated, the plan isn’t necessarily bad economic policy. Even the conservative opinion page of The Wall Street Journal, though critical of the tax, complained mainly about Obama's choice of target.

"The Daily Show" last week took a look at the biggest banks' sensitive side.

Shari Storm still recalls the day at Verity Credit Union when she was going through some "drama" with a colleague, when she noticed something about the expression on the other person's face. It was very familiar. Indeed, it was the same expression her young daughter used-every time she was lying.

American Express, Visa, Mastercard and Discover waived the processing fees for donations made to certain charities contributing to relief efforts in Haiti, at least temporarily.

Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and Jefferies have each committed at least $1 million to earthquake relief. Other financial institutions, including Wells Fargo and TD, have also announced donations.

Talk about an about-face. The American Bankers Association, which fought tooth and nail against new restrictions on credit card fees and interest rates, issued a press release this week saying the changes “herald a new era” for consumers.