Wintrust Financial (WTFC) in Rosemont, Ill., has agreed to buy the Pewaukee, Wis., branch of The National Bank.

The Federal Reserve's retail payments office announced Monday that it "fully supports" the most recent push within the banking industry to speed up electronic payments.

Two trade groups publish new guidelines designed to help banks and processors stay out of authorities' crosshairs.

An big investor in SWS Group (SWS) has objected to the Dallas company's planned sale to Hilltop Holdings (HTH).

Four Oaks Fincorp (FOFN) in Four Oaks, N.C., could purge up to $50 million in assets with help from its newest investor.

Graduate school financing with high balances are driving the overall growth of the nation's student-loan debt.

After a year in which bankers have voiced steady opposition to the qualified mortgage rule, more than a third now say they will make non-QM loans in targeted markets, a major reversal from the industry's past stance.

Legislation in Louisiana aimed at making payday loans cheaper for borrowers failed Monday in a House committee.

NorthSide Bank in Adairsville, Ga., has hired a new president and chief executive.

Solera National Bancorp (SLRK) in Lakewood, Colo., says it tried unsuccessfully to resolve a dispute with its biggest shareholder.

The National Association of Realtors estimates that the Federal Housing Administration's 1.35% annual premium stopped at least 125,000 renters from buying a home last year.

Arizona's attorney general quietly rehired his former spokeswoman to lead the state's Collections Enforcement Unit, a move that could lead to political fallout.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is facing mounting problems over racial disparities in its hiring and performance evaluation practices, which have drawn criticism and Congressional scrutiny. American Banker reporters discuss what's next for the CFPB and its critics, and what Director Richard Cordray could do to improve his agency's situation.

C1 Bank in St. Petersburg, Fla., is betting that its new, above-average "living wage" for all full-time employees will help it attract and retain top-notch workers.

After slogging through several quarters of high expenses and shrinking profits, some lenders are now selling mortgage servicing rights to raise cash to cover payroll and expenses, industry sources say.

ServisFirst Bancshares in Birmingham, Ala., has filed plans to raise $72 million through in initial public offering.

Regions Financial (RF) in Birmingham, Ala., is reorganizing the geographic structure of its Midwest operations following the retirement of area President Sally Roth.

Bankwell Financial (BWFG) in New Canaan, Conn., plans to raise nearly $61 million by selling common and preferred stock.

Vietnam Eximbank has implemented biometric technology for over-the-counter and ATM transactions where only fingerprint is needed for authentication.

National Bank of Cambridge in Cambridge, Md., has been freed from a formal agreement with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.