The defendants behind the operation allegedly misrepresented their background and authority, disclosed debts to third parties and threatened consumers with arrest and other legal consequences.

Hundreds of community bankers gathered in Honolulu last week, trying to reconcile their sense that the economy is back on track with their concerns about costly regulations and unfair competition. The following is an overview of the conflicting messages they shared and heard.

OneUnited Bank in Boston is trying to help people get back on track economically with two new programs.

Illinois taxpayers had to fund more than $318 million in interest payments in fiscal year 2013 to vendors who weren't paid as a result of the state's ongoing cash flow woes.

A movement to jump-start affordable-housing development is gathering momentum in New York and elsewhere, and bankers are concerned that new mandates would cut into their profits on loans for such projects.

The United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will conduct an in-depth review of debt collection practices of payday lenders when it takes on responsibilities for regulating consumer credit markets on April 1.

Cardtronics (CATM) in Houston announced Thursday a new licensing agreement with BBVA Compass that would give the bank branding rights to more than 300 automated teller machines in H-E-B grocery stores throughout Texas.

First Bank (FRBA) in Hamilton, N.J., has hired a former American Express manager as chief operating officer.

Heritage Oaks (HEOP) in Paso Robles, Calif., has hired a new chief financial officer.

Astoria Financial (AF) in Lake Success, N.Y., is planning to open its first full-service branch in Manhattan.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., Japan's biggest bank, raised a record $4 billion selling bonds to help fund its goal of becoming a top 10 U.S. lender.

First Citizens Banc (FCZA) in Sandusky, Ohio, will close three branches to cut costs.

Total foreclosure filings were reported on 112,498 U.S. properties in February, a 10 percent drop from January and down 27 percent from February 2013, according to RealtyTrac, an Irvine, Calif., data firm. The total is the lowest monthly figure since December 2006.

Community banks and credit unions are often viewed as being behind the curve in technology, but these tech efforts—either in place or in development—show that some smaller institutions can be every bit as cutting edge as the big guys.

Becoming a licensed money transmitter throughout the U.S. is a time intensive and costly process many Bitcoin businesses are struggling with. But the costs of compliance could be cut substantially with the proactive step of hiring in-house compliance officers.

Citigroup will consider clawing back compensation or shrinking 2014 pay for any employees linked to a $400 million loan fraud at its Banamex unit in Mexico.

Rep. Gary Miller, R-Calif., introduced legislation Wednesday to curb efforts by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to lower Federal Housing Administration loan limits.

Ally Financial and at its banking subsidiary have completed the renewal of $11.5 billion in secured credit facilities intended to fund its automobile lending and leasing in the United States.

WASHINGTON — Senate Banking Committee leaders are proposing to capitalize a new mortgage cooperative with a government loan to ensure small and even regional lenders can sell their loans for cash.

BankUnited (BKU) in Miami Lakes, Fla., has hired a former insurance agency executive to oversee its retail operations in Florida.