Bankers had more optimism about market conditions in December, fueled by accelerated activity in commercial lending and improved loan pricing.

PrivateBancorp (PVTB) in Chicago has continued its trend of hiring former employees of LaSalle Bank, this time hiring a group who will lead the company in advising other banks.

Black Knight Financial Services, formerly known as Lender Processing Services and ServiceLink, conducted loan processing on a record 41 million loans through the end of last year.

MADISON, Wis. -- In a strong sign that the U.S. economy continues to recover, credit union lending outpaced savings in 2013.

Bank of Georgetown in Washington, D.C., is moving its corporate headquarters and opening an adjacent branch.

American International Group Inc. (AIG) and other objectors to Bank of America Corp.'s $8.5 billion settlement with mortgage-bond investors including BlackRock Inc. (BLK) asked a judge to delay entry of a ruling approving the pact.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) will pay $614 million to settle claims it improperly approved Federal Housing Administration and Veterans Affairs loans that weren't eligible for insurance from those agencies because they didn't meet underwriting requirements.

A class-action lawsuit in Albuquerque, N.M. claims the collection practices surrounding local red light camera and speed camera tickets violate the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

The Federal Trade Commission testified before Congress Tuesday on the agency’s ongoing efforts to promote data security, and reiterated its support for enactment of a strong federal data security and breach notification law.

The Federal Reserve banks signaled Tuesday that they are pushing ahead with their efforts to encourage the construction of a faster nationwide payment system.

House Republican leaders squashed an attempt Tuesday by Rep. Maxine Waters, the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, to force a vote on a Senate-passed bill reforming flood insurance.

Morgan Stanley (MS) agreed to pay $1.25 billion to settle a U.S. regulator's claims that the investment bank sold faulty mortgage-backed securities to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Lawmakers kicked off a week of investigations into recent data breaches on Monday and Tuesday, grilling bankers, retailers, government officials and consumer advocates about why the breaches occurred and what can be done to prevent future incidents.

Commercial and multifamily mortgage lenders are vulnerable to the strict regulatory climate faced by their colleagues in home finance, Mortgage Bankers Association President David Stevens says.

Eagle Bancorp Montana (EBMT) in Helena, Mont., has named Laura Clark as its chief financial officer.

Add PrivateBancorp to the list of financial institutions that have managed to grow commercial loans organically and are eyeing acquisitions that would improve liquidity in a rising-rate environment.

A team assembled by ex-regulator Raj Date is preparing to launch a plastic card for Americans who don't qualify for mainstream credit. It is thought to be the first entrant into the subprime card market in several years.

Anchor Bancorp (ANCB) in Lacey, Wash., is facing pressure from an activist investor to sell itself.

Community banks reported increased lending in the fourth quarter. Experts believe loans could continue to grow this year, but at a marginal rate.