From the C-suite on down, fundamental credit skills are as highly valued these days as more trendy specialties like risk management, says Rod Taylor.

Large equity stakes were once enough to attract highly sought-after executives. These days banks, however, banks are being forced to offer more cash and other incentives, says to Rod Taylor.

Credit Suisse (CS) has won a small victory in a legal battle over its sale of mortgage-backed securities.

Just days after the Senate's top Democrat, Harry Reid, proposed a two-year renewal to the Transaction Account Guarantee program, a leading Republican on the Senate Banking Committee came forward and said he plans to oppose the extension.

The effort to extend the Transaction Account Guarantee, which is due to expire at yearend, received a major "boost this week after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid unveiled a bill to keep it alive for another two years," writes American Banker's Joe Adler.

CardHub.com blasted the Federal Reserve Board after releasing a report evaluating what credit card issuers are required to tell their customers about possible interest rate hikes.

"The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Tuesday it will amend its rule establishing new disclosures for international money transfers in a move designed to ease bankers' fears that the regulation is overburdensome," writes American Banker's Rachel Witkowski.

Glen Trudel, an attorney who specializes in credit card transactions, has joined the law firm Ballard Spahr as a partner in its Wilmington, Del., office.

Sen. Bob Corker said Wednesday he plans to oppose extending the Transaction Account Guarantee program, just days after the Senate's top Democrat proposed a two-year renewal.

We now have two different definitions of a "high-cost" mortgage, as well as a "higher priced" mortgage, and a "higher risk" mortgage. Clearly, Congress failed to practice what it preaches.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has sponsored a standalone bill to give the Transaction Account Guarantee program another two year. The extension, which many community bankers view as critical, is still very much in doubt.

Coronado First Bank (NADO) in California has agreed to buy San Diego Private Bank for roughly $15.5 million in stock.

Cardinal Bankshares said that falling property valuations and foreclosure charges contributed to a loss during its third quarter.

Provident New York Bancorp has hired veteran financial industry executive Luis Massiani to be its next chief financial officer.

Banks must understand the risks associated with a potential partnership, assess how the effort will support their overall strategy and hire the right talent to manage the venture once it has been approved.

By pressing ahead with business banking, auto lending and branch expansion, Stephen Steinour has Huntington moving fast and thinking big.

By pressing forward in business banking, auto lending and branch expansion, CEO Stephen Steinour has Huntington moving fast — and thinking big.

Eight acquisitions in two years have positioned CenterState as one of Florida's breakout banks. Meanwhile, John Corbett's shrewd maneuver into correspondent banking — as others were exiting the business — has generated new revenue streams.

Throughout his three decades in Congress, Barney Frank reached across the aisle to tackle big problems, and crafted groundbreaking legislation with far-reaching effects for banks.