As policymakers mull the future of U.S. mortgage policy, Federal Housing Finance Agency chief Ed DeMarco sees a potential starting point in an entity he does not regulate: the Federal Housing Administration.

There are too many banks that "cannot survive," the heads of CertusBank say in discussing their recent acquisition of a failed bank and predictions of more to come.

Many bankers in the New York area saw few effects from the October hurricane, while the Philadelphia area saw widespread bank and ATM closures, according to the Fed's Beige Book.

The very same low interest rates and easy credit terms that ran up the "for sale" housing business are now busily at work running up the multifamily rental business.

More banks are looking to outsource advisory tasks as compliance costs rise, though some observers believe the trend could lead to more oversight of the actual vendor relationships.

My Community Federal Credit Union in western Texas discusses ways to get consumers excited about digital budgeting tools that have underperformed elsewhere.

Highly skilled leaders are in short supply among small banks these days. Attracting them comes down to making a compelling case that a bank's prospect are bright, says Rod Taylor.

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.