Schiff Hardin in Charlotte, N.C., just created Schiff Hardin Strategic Advisers to help banks distance themselves from past problems and prevent them from reoccurring. The firm is led by two former Wachovia executives.

The Federal Trade Commission charged a telemarketing operation with running a deceptive investment scheme that took in at least $10 million from mostly elderly consumers, many of whom invested their retirement savings buying precious metals on credit without knowing the costs and risks.

A San Antonio community bank owned by the family of prominent businessman Tom Benson is acquiring another small bank in what would be its first-ever acquisition.

Taylor Capital Group (TAYC) in Rosemont, Ill., is expanding its mortgage unit by hiring more than 60 retail mortgage professionals from Amera Mortgage in Milford, Mich.

Most banks take a one-size-fits-all approach to their branching strategies rather than tailor products and services to each branch based on the needs of individual markets.

Both companies' loan origination systems will be maintained and supported post-merger, executives say.

Hispanic customers of JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo have long been able to pay bills or transfer money online — but only in English. Now both companies are planning to expand their Spanish-language online banking services by early next year.

Community banks are expanding their mortgage operations after struggling to gain ground with commercial loans.

Most banks have eliminated bonuses, but thanks to stock options a dozen top executives raked in seven figures last year, according to SNL.

The consumer bureau announced who will be serving as counselor to the CFPB director, general counsel and ombudsman, among other positions.

The Federal Reserve Board has issued an enforcement orders against First Security Bank of Malta in Montana that gives the bank 30 days to become adequately capitalized or sell itself to another institution.

John Kanas, BankUnited's CEO, said settling with his former employer was a better option than enduring a lengthy legal battle and possible trial.

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Facebook is seeking to strengthen the nonadvertising side of its business by enabling users around the world to make payments on the social site in local currency and letting application developers charge on a subscription basis.

Capital One Financial (COF) has settled a longstanding legal dispute with former executive John Kanas.

Deals in Texas were pricey and plentiful in the first five months of the year, new data show. The state set the pace for rapid bank consolidation once before, and it could do so again.

The Treasury Department plans to auction pools of securities in nearly two-thirds of the banks left in the Troubled Asset Relief Program, its most aggressive move yet to get small banks out of the program.

For community bankers, it was always a romantic notion, the idea that they could give mortgage lending short shrift and beat the big guys on commercial loans. Mortgage lending is looking pretty good to these bankers now.

Richard Hunt, who assumed leadership of the Consumer Bankers Association three years ago as its president, has now been named the chief executive officer for the group.