A recap of the informed opinions (and discussions they generated) on BankThink this week.

More and more banks are ramping up in asset-based lending, even as some fret about increased regulatory scrutiny. In a Q&A, the head of the industry's trade group discusses the latest trends, what's keeping his members up nights and what to look for in the year ahead.

Time Warner Cable Inc. has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the company violated the Risk-Based Pricing Rule, which requires creditors to give notice to consumers who are provided less favorable credit terms based on information in their credit reports.

DOWNEY, Calif. -- Financial Partners Credit Union says its "smart" branch in nearby Orange, Calif., is working so well, it plans to open two more just like it.

National Penn Bancshares (NPBC) in Boyertown, Pa., will take a fourth-quarter charge as it closes branches and prepares to move its headquarters.

The Bitcoin community has long dealt with wild fluctuations in the digital currency's value, and as the digital currency has surged to several hundred dollars per bitcoin, more consumers and merchants are adopting the digital currency.

Hudson Valley Holding (HVB) in Yonkers, N.Y., has hired a former regulator to be chief risk officer for its bank.

Bank of Commerce Holdings (BOCH) in Redding, Calif., continued to revamp its executive team by hiring Robert Muttera as chief credit officer.

Webster Financial (WBS) in Waterbury, Conn., has promoted Joseph Savage to president.

A look at 10 bankers who will be busy in 2014 digesting big acquisitions, finding new sources of revenue, answering critics or proving themselves in new roles.

First Citizens Banc (FCZA) in Sandusky, Ohio, has raised $25 million to exit the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Ally Financial (GKM) and Ally Bank will pay $98 million in fines and restitution to settle government claims that they discriminated against minorities through their indirect auto lending business.

Deutsche Bank AG (DBK) will pay 1.4 billion euros ($1.9 billion) to settle claims it didn't provide adequate disclosure about mortgage-backed securities sold to Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FMCC).

Compliance is a top growing expense, the regulatory bar has increased, banks needs better talent management and cybersecurity is everyone's problem.

Virginia National Bank in Charlottesville, Va., has changed its corporate structure.

Peoples Financial (PFBX) in Biloxi, Miss., sold about $27.3 million in nonperforming assets in the fourth quarter.

First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) in Cincinnati has agreed to buy Insight Bank in Worthington, Ohio.

Provident Financial Services (PFS) in Jersey City, N.J., has agreed to buy Team Capital Bank in Bethlehem, Pa.

The credit card issuer has agreed to loosen its restrictions on fees charged by retailers to consumers, following a similar move by Visa and MasterCard.

Although Ocwen Financial agreed to pay more than $2 billion to settle allegations it mishandled foreclosures and mortgages for thousands of borrowers, it could have been even worse for the country's largest nonbank servicer.