Purchases of previously owned homes climbed in December for the first time in five months as job gains and healthier household balance sheets helped Americans adjust to higher mortgage rates.

Citigroup, which cut unwanted assets 25% last year, should no longer be expected to offer clients unlimited financial services, Chief Executive Officer Michael Corbat said.

BankUnited (BKU) in Miami Lakes, Fla., reported quarterly earnings that were in line with Wall Street expectations.

California's plan to halt payday loan services owned by Indian tribes was dealt a setback this week after a state appeals court ruled tribal sovereign immunity stands in the way.

Susquehanna Bancshares (SUSQ) in Lititz, Pa., reported a profit of $41.3 million in the fourth quarter, down 4.4% from a year earlier.

The latest Equifax National Consumer Credit Trends Report indicates that the automobile lending sector continues to thrive. The total number of new auto loans originated from January through October 2013 was 20.2 million, totaling $405.2 billion and representing the highest origination total for that time in eight years.

First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) in Cincinnati warned that it will take a hit to fourth-quarter earnings because of a $22.4 million valuation adjustment to its indemnification asset from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

KeyCorp (KEY) in Cleveland reported higher fourth-quarter earnings from a year earlier after cutting expenses and booking more loans.

HomeTrust Bancshares (HTBI) in Asheville, N.C., has agreed to buy Jefferson Bancshares (JFBI) in Morristown, Tenn.

T-Mobile's bid to provide basic checking services to its mobile phone customers is the latest signal that banks are losing the low end of the consumer market.

East West Bancorp (EWBC) in Pasadena, Calif., reported improved quarterly results after credit costs declined.

Bank deposit advances, which strongly resemble payday loans, have been facing extinction since coming into the crosshairs of federal banking regulators.

The fallout from the recent Target and Neiman Marcus security breaches has led to a war of words between bankers and retailers.

Tumbling mortgage banking revenue reduced Umpqua Holdings' (UMPQ) fourth-quarter profit.

Texas Capital Bancshares (TCBI) is planning to sell 1.25 million shares of common stock in a public offering.

ServisFirst Bancshares in Birmingham, Ala., has launched a health care banking division.

BancorpSouth (BXS) in Tupelo, Miss., is making to most out of its return to bank acquisitions.

Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, Regions and Fifth Third have all dropped out of the deposit advance business after federal regulators imposed new restrictions on the products, which are similar to payday loans. American Banker editors discuss the implications for banks, for the nonbank payday lenders who are facing regulation from other entities, and from the customers who may look elsewhere for alternative sources of short-term credit.

Banks have long struggled to migrate financial relationships onto mobile devices and to attract the underserved. Carriers like T-Mobile, on the other hand, come into the market with a distinct advantage.

Leading indicators are still so-so, but normally bearish U.S. Bancorp CEO Richard Davis predicts more loan demand in the second half based on his conversations with customers, who he says want to "get things moving."