Apple introduced its Passbook app — a wallet that stores other mobile wallets — alongside the iPhone 5 in September. Three months later, has Passbook revolutionized mobile payments? Or is it starving from lack of support? (Image: Bloomberg News)

Regulators need to create an environment where firms are not afraid to speak out. Banks need to come up with clearer explanations of their business models to prevent the creation of unnecessary rules.

Heritage Bank of Commerce in San Jose, Calif., has lured a veteran small-business banker.

Astoria Financial (AF) could be a likely takeover target because of its recent emphasis on multifamily lending and a stock that is trading at a discount.

A new lawsuit alleges that Wells improperly denied applications for modifications of so-called Pick-a-Payment loans. The San Francisco bank is contesting the allegations.

The nation's two largest banks are heading in opposite directions when it comes to customer satisfaction. Overall, banks are narrowing the gap with credit unions.

Ensuring that corporate boards include a diverse set of skills, backgrounds and personalities helps against groupthink's dislocation of corporate and shareholder interests.

Solera National Bancorp in Lakewood, Colo., has hired a veteran risk manager as its chief credit officer.

The U.K. banking giant has agreed to pay $1.9 billion to settle U.S. money-laundering charges. Unsettled is whether global banks have the controls to avoid a repeat.

Amerasia Bank in New York has agreed to buy a troubled community bank in Florida. The $291 million-asset bank will acquire Great Eastern Bank of Florida, says Jimmy Tsai, Amerasia's chief operating officer.

Bob Kottler explains how the Louisiana company has been able to book small business loans while other banks struggle to grow.

Fifth Third Bank is the latest bank to announce that it would halt evictions during the holiday season.

HSBC Holdings Plc, Europe's largest bank, agreed to pay $1.92 billion to settle U.S. probes of money laundering in the largest such accord ever.

Innovations can fail catastrophically, as was the case for the mortgage and securitization innovations that precipitated the crisis. Valuable innovation profitably and honestly delivers greater perceived value to customers, without incurring disproportionate cost and risk.

The Treasury Department is scheduled on Tuesday to auction warrants to purchase 1.2 million shares of common stock in M&T Bank.

MANSFIELD, Texas – Texas trust CU opened its tenth branch here yesterday, its second new branch of the year.

DENVER – Bellco CU opened its newest metro Denver branch yesterday in Sloan’s Lake and is opening an additional branch next Monday in Englewood.

Prosperity Bancshares (PB) in Houston has agreed to buy Coppermark Bancshares in Oklahoma City, Okla., for $193.9 million in cash and stock.

The $5.8 billion-asset holding company of Chemical Bank in Midland, Mich., said Monday it has completed its $8.1 million purchase of 21 branches from Independent Bank (IBCP) in Ionia, Mich.

Banks will have adjustments to make in residential lending next year even though the housing recovery will continue, according to an economic forecast issued Monday.