As the Fed contemplates ending QE3, banks will need to look beyond government debt and mortgage-backed securities to generate returns.

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Jeffrey Lacker said bankruptcy without government support is "the first and most preferable option" in the event of a failure by a big financial institution.

SunTrust Banks (STL) in Atlanta reported lower quarterly earnings after it agreed to settle claims over various mortgage-related practices.

Many payments companies see a conflict between innovation and regulation, with each side perceiving the other as out of touch with their needs, particularly when it comes to new technology.

Capital One has hired Citigroup veteran George Revock to lead its alternative energy and project finance group.

Chemung Financial (CHMG) in Elmira, N.Y., has named Karl Krebs as its new chief financial officer.

Capital One Financial (COF) saw its profits dip in the third quarter as revenues from its flagship credit card business diminished.

Some regional banks reported strong loan growth in the third quarter and are upbeat about the fourth. Others had a weak summer and expect this quarter to be the same. All claim their lending practices are sound and that rivals are taking risks. It doesn't add up.

PrivateBancorp (PVTB) in Chicago posted stronger earnings because of cost-cutting.

Even if these loans did harm consumers – doubtful as they were freely entered into – the harm would appear quite minor compared to that which has been repeatedly imposed upon the U.S. Native American population.

Huntington Bancshares’s efforts are paying off. It finally reached a 2013 goal of achieving positive operating leverage by cutting jobs, closing branches and reducing marketing and legal expenses.

The U.S. Senate's leadership in resolving the government shutdown offers evidence that it’s also likely to lead the way in reforming mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. That's good news for the many bankers who favor the bipartisan Corker-Warner bill over a House alternative authored by Texas Republican Jeb Hensarling.

GlassPay, a new Google Glass app from RedBottle Design LLC, allows consumers to make purchases with bitcoins, a prominent digital currency.

Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) in Cincinnati reported a 16% rise in quarterly earnings thanks to improvements in credit quality and gains from its gradual divestiture of a payments subsidiary.

East West Bancorp (EWBC) in Pasadena, Calif., reported a small rise in quarterly profit because of loan growth.

American Express said third-quarter profit rose 9.3 percent to $1.37 billion, or $1.25 a share, beating the $1.22 average estimate of 26 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

Delanco Bancorp in New Jersey has completed its conversion to a fully public company.

SunTrust Banks has joined the lengthy list of major banks slashing jobs in their mortgage divisions.

Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) followed the lead of other banks and cut about 200 jobs amid a slowdown in residential mortgage lending.

M&T Bank (MTB) in Buffalo reported flat quarterly earnings that still meet Wall Street’s expectations.