Politicians who support the idea of banking as a public utility may not be very concerned with the fate of community banks. Rather than say so directly, they gloss over the facts.

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.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has struggled internally with how to end potential discrimination in auto lending, including debating whether it should cite a large lender in the hope of effectively ending the ability of partnering dealers to mark up loans with all lenders.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has struggled internally with how to end potential discrimination in auto lending, including debating whether it should cite a large lender in the hopes of effectively ending the ability of partnering dealers to mark up loans with all lenders.

Porter Bancorp in Louisville, Ky., has Edmond Seifried to its board. Seifried, 68, is executive director of the Sheshunoff Affiliation Program, which provides education and an idea exchange to community bankers.

Officials signaled that Hudson City Savings Bank's nearly $33 million settlement over redlining charges is only the first in what is likely to be a string of other cases.

Sound Financial Bancorp in Seattle has hired a former Federal Home Loan Bank executive as chief administrative officer of its bank.

Premier Financial Bancorp in Huntington, W.Va., has hired a former BB&T executive as its bank president and chief executive.

A Nevada firm is trying to make debt collections easier, friendlier and more interesting on a smartphone app designed for the underbanked. The new app, called PaySwag, is being marketed to banks and other companies to foster a more proactive approach to collections.

Western Alliance Bancorp's Bridge Bank in San Jose, Calif., has created a lending group to focus on the life sciences sector.

River Valley Bancorp could face a challenge from an investor who is upset over some of the Madison, Ind., company’s policies and procedures.

Federal officials on Thursday ordered Hudson City Savings Bank to pay more than $27 million to resolve redlining allegations, the largest order of its kind and one that is likely to put larger banks on notice that redlining cases will be aggressively pursued.

The banking industry continues to sit on a mountain of problematic loans seven years after the onset of the financial crisis.

Community banks’ marketing efforts should aim to go beyond increasing brand visibility to engage customers face to face.

The man allegedly used his Baton Rouge, La.-based credit repair company to dupe his victims.

American banks long ago deserted their most impoverished communities. Today, post offices are uniquely well positioned to serve the underbanked population — and perhaps reinvigorate a culture of saving in the process.

The marketplace lender is paying $30 million in cash plus an undisclosed amount of stock. It plans to use BillGuard’s apps, which come with detailed information about their users’ financial habits, to attract new borrowers.

Citigroup will close its Boston branches to focus on areas where the lender has a bigger presence just months after describing the city as a key market.

Washington Federal in Seattle said its chief financial officer, Diane Kelleher, plans to step down at yearend.

Severn Bancorp in Annapolis, Md., has hired a former Susquehanna Bancshares executive as its chief lending officer.