The former head of the FDIC has a longstanding interest in small-dollar consumer lending.

Banking activity snapped back into expansion mode in February according to the latest reading in the Index of Banking Activity. The upturn was driven primarily by significant momentum in the Northeast and Midwest regions and contrasted strongly with a particularly weak reading in January. In the latest month, index components that track loan application and approval activity turned positive for both the consumer and commercial sides of the business. Survey respondents also were mostly positive on questions related to credit quality, with sentiment on delinquencies improving in several regions. Despite the upturn for the loan-origination indicators, there was no evidence of increased momentum in the component that monitors loan balances outstanding. But this seems to have stemmed from a positive development as well, as several respondents noted that February saw customers pay down loan balances and, in one respondent's case, the payoff activity cleared up loans that had been viewed as problematic in January. One common theme across the respondent pool was that competition had intensified significantly for new commercial loan business, resulting in a tougher pricing environment in several regions.

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The Dallas-based subprime consumer lender backed off controversial changes to its method for calculating its quarterly provisions for loan losses, forcing it to revise earnings downward for the last two years. It also announced that it had found more accounting issues.

An 11-page paper by the agency signaled its intent to take a higher-profile role in ensuring that regulators are not inappropriately hampering banks' adoption of new technologies to reach customers, while also keeping an eye out that institutions are able to handle the risks involved.

BNC Bancorp in High Point, N.C., has delayed the closing of its acquisition of Southcoast Financial in Mount Pleasant, S.C., as the Federal Reserve has not completed its review of the deal.

AmeriServ Financial in Johnstown, Pa., will record a first-quarter loss because an unnamed energy-sector client plans to liquidate under bankruptcy protection.

Bank of America appears to be retaining more deposits from recent branch sales, using technological advancements to keep customers despite the lack of a physical location.

Competition is spurring subprime auto lenders to stretch their underwriting guidelines for new customers, raising fears of another bust. In February, 5.16% of securitized subprime auto loans were at least 60 days past due, according to Fitch Ratings. That slightly exceeded the level of late payments at the height of the Great Recession. Here's a guide to who's doing what in the market, courtesy of our colleagues at Asset Securitization Report.

A white paper released Thursday said the agency might issue new guidance on fintech product development, third-party risk management and new products targeting the underbanked; streamline its licensing procedures; and appoint experts on "responsible innovation." It is still deciding whether to open an office dedicated to monitoring the fintech sector.

To help make instant payments a reality, regulators here and abroad should encourage multiple approaches, thus avoiding the temptation to mandate a single solution.

Brickell Bank in Miami has bought a trade finance portfolio from the investment brokerage firm INTL FCStone.

Blue Ridge Bankshares in Luray, Va., has agreed to buy River Bancorp in Martinsville, Va.

Regulators are right to target overdraft and other fees as obstacles to banks offering affordable checking account options, but that’s just the beginning in developing transactional products that work for consumers.

HarborOne Bank is proving that financial education really can improve the bottom line.

Scammers pocketed $3.8 million from troubled homeowners nationwide and did nothing to modify their loans, according to the special inspector general for the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Franklin Financial Network in Franklin, Tenn., plans a debt issuance to pay for its recently completed exit from the Small Business Lending Fund and to fund other activities.

Enterprise Bancorp in Lowell, Mass., has purchased the site of a former hotel that recently burned to the ground and plans to put a new branch there.

The payments pioneer is transforming its merchant cash advance into a business loan, a move that has significant legal and regulatory implications.

The management team at Western Alliance Bancorp. has decades of experience with hotel development. The company's pending purchase of a large loan book — and expansion into national hotel lending — will be scrutinized in coming years.

First State Bank of DeKalb County in Fort Payne, Ala., has agreed to buy First Bank of the South in Rainsville, Ala.