The fireworks over a Pew Charitable Trusts report on lump-sum payday loans continued Friday as Pew challenged criticisms of its survey methodology.

Half of banking and other business leaders expect a stronger economy, and 44% expect a stronger M&A market, in the next 12 months, according to a new survey. Regulation remains a concern, but dealmakers are largely ignoring the lingering problems in Washington, observers say.

Stopping a proposed requirement that banks offer "plain-vanilla" credit products was an industry victory in the run-up to Dodd-Frank, but many believe it still survived.

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

A group of National Football League players has sued BB&T (BBT) for nearly $60 million over alleged negligence by BankAtlantic, which BB&T acquired last year.

The head of the state bank supervisors' group said he sees a quiet push to "reform our regulatory structure to better reflect the business models of our largest banks."

We should think twice before cutting off access to alternative lenders that serve as a last resort for millions of low-income Americans. We should also encourage banks to remove the barriers for these customers when they want to open a savings account.

Royal Bank of Scotland has accelerated its plans to sell its U.S. subsidiary. The company will conduct a partial initial public offering of its Citizens Financial Group unit in the second half of 2014, and plans to fully divest itself through offerings in 2015 and 2016.

HomeStreet (HMST) in Seattle is expanding its mortgage business in California.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been the primary source of multifamily financing since the financial crisis. But in crafting legislation to wind down the government-sponsored enterprises and restructure the housing finance system, the lawmakers in the House and Senate have largely ignored the GSEs' multifamily businesses.

Camco Financial (CAFI) said its Advantage Bank has been released from a 2012 enforcement action less than a month after agreeing to sell itself to Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) in Columbus, Ohio.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), the biggest U.S. bank, disclosed that authorities in the U.S. and abroad are investigating the lender's hiring practices in Asia.

Zions Bancorp (ZION) in Salt Lake City has raised $162 million in an auction of subordinated debt.

NewBridge Bancorp (NBBC) in Greensboro, N.C., has agreed to buy CapStone Bank (CPSE) in Raleigh, N.C.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has released Hudson Valley Bank in Yonkers, N.Y., from a 2012 enforcement action.

Higher expenses made Green Dot's third-quarter profits fall 36% from a year earlier. The prepaid card issuer also said Thursday that it is adding six more products to its WalMart MoneyCard line.

The Senate Banking Committee continues to discuss housing finance reform options even as efforts to confirm Congressman Mel Watt to run the Federal Housing Finance Agency stall.

City National Corp. (CYN) in Los Angeles has announced the pricing of a $100 million public offering.

Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust in Coral Gables, Fla., has promoted Angel Medina to president.