Disclosure of confidential client information by the lead counsel for a group of merchants "fatally tainted" a 2013 settlement with American Express, a federal judge ruled Tuesday, auguring poorly for a similar settlement with Visa and MasterCard.

The first stress tests for regional banks show loan losses closely in line with the postcrisis period. However, an independent analysis suggests losses likely would be even higher.

First Bancorp, OFG Bancorp and Popular Inc. have been trimming exposure to central government loans in recent years to limit their exposure to a financial crisis. Most still bank the island's municipalities, though they have strict underwriting and collateral to protect their interests.

F.N.B. Corp. in Pittsburgh has agreed to buy Metro Bancorp in Harrisburg, Pa.

A U.S. judge rejected American Express Co.'s settlement with merchants over credit card fees after finding the plaintiffs' lawyer tainted the deal by exchanging confidential information with an attorney for MasterCard Inc.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has filed a lawsuit in federal court against a web of payday lending companies, alleging that they collected money that consumers did not owe and falsely threatened consumers with lawsuits and imprisonment.

Foundation Bank in Bellevue, Wash., has taken a $2.9 million charge tied to a fraudulent loan and plans to report a quarterly loss later this week.

SunTrust Banks in Atlanta has streamlined its checking-account product offerings, in a bid to make it easier for customers to choose a product and open an account.

A payday lender that allegedly collected money illegally faces a lawsuit filed Tuesday in federal court by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Four Oaks Bank & Trust in Four Oaks, N.C., said its May 2011 enforcement action has been replaced with a more lenient agreement that requires it to address governance issues and other matters.

Anchorage Capital Group and Carlyle Group have priced their final offering of common stock in Central Pacific Financial in Honolulu.

Court rulings in the past year are sending conflicting messages about whether a debtor's account number visible on a debt collection envelope violates the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

A three-year investigation by the Idaho Attorney General’s office into allegations that executives with a hospital misused charitable assets has ended after the two sides reached an agreement.

MutualFirst Financial in Muncie, Ind., which is under pressure from an activist investor to sell itself, has agreed to buy the trust business of First Bank of Berne in Indiana.

It's been nearly a century since reformers and lenders agreed on 36% as a small-dollar loan ceiling. Inflation has since swelled production costs, and lending under this cap is no longer profitable. The result: fewer options for consumers.

Lakeland Bancorp in Oak Ridge, N.J., has agreed to buy Pascack Bancorp in Waldwick, N.J.

ASB Bancorp in Asheville, N.C., has received its second challenge in less than a month from an activist investor. The latest seeks a sale of the company.

WASHINGTON — In the wake of Benjamin Lawsky's departure as head of the New York Department of Financial Services two months ago, there were some in the banking industry that predicted the agency might back away from being the outspoken, aggressive one it had become during his tenure.

First Foundation in Irvine, Calif., has begun an initial public offering to raise up to $100 million.

AJS Bancorp in Midlothian, Ill., has given its chairman and chief executive the additional title of chief financial officer.