President Obama belatedly weighed in Tuesday with a vision of how to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the future of housing finance. American Banker editors discuss how the White House’s involvement is likely to influence the debate.

Cardtronics has continued its acquisitions spree with a deal to acquire Cardpoint Ltd., an operator of 7,100 ATMs in the U.K. and Germany, for $153 million cash, representing the ATM giant's first foray into Continental Europe.

The lower profits and new fees banks predicted when the swipe fee cap on debit cards was initially proposed never came to fruition. Why believe them now?

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (FMBL) in California has hired a chief operating officer.

Farmers & Merchants State Bank in Archbold, Ohio, has agreed to buy a branch from Croghan Colonial Bank in Fremont, Ohio.

AUSTIN, Texas – University (of Texas) FCU said this morning it signed with Diebold to provide its fleet of more than 100 Opteva ATMs, including four Interactive Financial Centers, or tellerless branches, with a variety of maintenance, security and compliance services.

AUSTIN, Texas – University (of Texas) FCU said this morning it signed with Diebold to provide its fleet of more than 100 Opteva ATMs, including four Interactive Financial Centers, or tellerless branches, with a variety of maintenance, security and compliance services.

Freddie Mac will pay $4.4 billion to the Treasury Department after continued housing-market improvements allowed the company to post a seventh consecutive profitable quarter.

HOUSTON – Cardtronics said this morning it has continued its acquisitions spree with a deal to acquire Cardpoint Limited, an operator of 7,100 ATMs in the U.K. and Germany for $153 million cash, representing the ATM giant’s first foray into Continental Europe.

The Lamassu machine, a so-called Bitcoin ATM, is a rare device that makes it possible for the unbanked to obtain digital currency. It was invented by a pair of guitar-store proprietors who wanted to break into the payments industry — and are prepared to face the music when regulators take notice.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – U.S. New Mexico FCU has acquired a former Bank of America drive-thru branch in Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights.

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Pentagon FCU had a grand opening for its new branch here yesterday that featured a proclamation from Gov. Bill Haslam, read by state Sen. Mark Green, plus a ribbon-cutting, open house and official welcomes from the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.

Sterling Bank in Spokane, Wash. will allow customers to transfer money to and from accounts at other financial institutions for free.

Sussex Bancorp (SSBX) in Franklin, N.J., has completed a $7.2 million capital raise.

Carlile Bancshares plans to merge and rename its two Colorado banking units.

President Obama ended his administration's self-imposed blackout regarding housing finance reform on Tuesday, finally endorsing a specific approach after effectively punting on the issue more than two years ago.

New York state is asking more than 100 banks to choke off access to the automated payments system that unlicensed online lenders use to debit the checking accounts of consumers.

A former chairman of the failed Premier Bank in Wilmette, Ill., has been charged with fraud in what prosecutors say is the first criminal case tied to the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Large banks approved more small-business loans in July than they have in any month since before the recession.