WASHINGTON – Four Democratic senators sent a letter on Thursday to federal financial regulators asking for clear guidance on how banks can serve the marijuana industry.

Nandita Bakhshi and Ellen Alemany discuss strategy; Beth Mooney strikes a deal; a Lehman Sister recounts her experience as a woman at the top of Wall Street in its doomsday; and HSBC sets a goal to have equal gender representation in certain areas by 2020. Plus, some interesting research on equal pay for women, and good grief, Raymond Moore.

American Banker readers share their views on the most pressing banking topics of the week. Comments are excerpted from reader response sections of AmericanBanker.com articles and our social media platforms.

A Georgia-based debt collection law firm and a debt buyer didn't violate federal law by misleading consumers into believing that they would be sued if they didn't pay the amount they owed, the 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled.

Roughly 90 banks that participated in the government's lending program still owe money to the Treasury Department and face a massive dividend increase. Many of those could view selling as a better alternative to raising new capital.

Five policy heavy-hitters issued a proposal this week to merge Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into a single government corporation as a way to move beyond the conservatorships of the two government-sponsored enterprises.

The Federal Trade Commission, hoping to strengthen cross-border cooperation on anti-spam and Do Not Call enforcement, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission.

Experts see the British bank's decision to downsize its African stake as another example of money-laundering concerns and other risks prompting institutions to get out of emerging markets.

Jefferson Security Bank in Shepherdstown, W.Va., has promoted Cynthia Kitner from chief financial officer to chief executive.

Diebold acquired enough Wincor Nixdorf shares to complete the purchase of its German rival, a deal that creates a maker of cash machines and systems with more than $5 billion in sales.

JPMorgan Chase has partnered with Starbucks on a branded, prepaid rewards card, expanding its relationship with the coffeehouse chain.

Diebold has acquired enough Wincor Nixdorf shares to complete the purchase of its German rival, a deal that creates a maker of cash machines and systems with more than $5 billion in sales.

Not all energy loans are created equal. For a host of reasons, oilfield services loans are more risky than other types of energy loans, according to Megan Snyder, an analyst with Moody's.

Cash may still be king when it comes to small purchases, but debit cards are threatening to end its reign, according to survey results announced Wednesday by CreditCards.com.

Fentura Financial in Fenton, Mich., has agreed to buy Community Bancorp in St. Charles, Mich.

Favorable economic factors won’t last forever for lending startups. Here are the factors that will make or break nonbank lenders when market conditions get rockier.

VantageScore Solutions announced Thursday the availability of a new white paper analyzing consumer score migration over time and how lenders can use these migrations to optimize decisioning.

The former chief executive of a failed bank in Lincoln, Neb., was sentenced to 11 years in prison for forming a scheme to hide more than $100 million in losses from shareholders and regulators.

Carolina Trust Bank in Lincolnton, N.C., has revised downward its fourth-quarter results because of accounting changes related to its retirement plan and an acquisition from years ago.

Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida in Stuart has reached an agreement with an activist investor after signs had emerged of a potential proxy battle.