Everyone is talking about “Big Data” and the opportunities it presents for the financial industry. The movement in the industry suggests that to make better credit decisions, you must use a lot more data.

Federal prosecutors Wednesday accused Washington D.C. Council chairman Kwame R. Brown with mortgage fraud, saying he lied on his home mortgage application as part of a scheme to buy a $50,000 power boat.

The nation's mega servicers are increasing their use of principal reductions in modifying loans as they fulfill obligations under the $25 billion robo-signing settlement with the state attorneys general and federal agencies, according to new figures released by the Treasury Department.

In what would be its first acquisition in its 11-year history, Westfield Bancorp in Westfield Center, Ohio, is buying Western Reserve Bancorp in nearby Medina for about $18 million in cash.

The Atlanta bank, which was forced to retreat from a $5 debit-card fee in the fall, is making it more difficult for some customers to qualify for free checking.

Two years after postponing its planned conversion to a 100% stock-owned company, Northfield Bancorp, a mutual holding company in Avenel, N.J., is finally ready to take that second step.

Mercantile Bank Corporation (MBWM) in Grand Rapids, Mich., has completed its exit from the Troubled Asset Relief program by repurchasing the $10.5 million of stock that was still held by the Treasury Department.

Fox Chase Bancorp (FXCB) in Hatboro, Pa., is planning to restructure its balance sheet this quarter in an effort to better position itself for potential changes in interest rates and improve its net interest income.

BancorpSouth quietly cut a deal in Arkansas that could undercut Florida claims in the overdraft case and save it millions. A federal judge is not amused.

"People love the idea of simply waving their phone and paying," says an entrepreneur whose $10 product lets them do that — by sticking their contactless card in a pocket attached to the handset.

John Owen will oversee consumer and commercial business lines, and Keith Herron takes reins of strategic planning.

A former sailor who posed as a Navy SEAL chief to gain the trust of sailors and convince them to give him their personal information was sentenced this afternoon to seven years in prison for using the information to obtain $182,000 of fraudulent car loans from Navy FCU.

There were more deals in May worth at least $50 million than in any month in well over a year, but market volatility could slow activity down again.

Three years after arriving, CEO Chris Bauer has helped Anchor survive by reducing costs and shrinking the Madison, Wis., company's assets. The thrift remains adequately capitalized, but the company still needs a $250 million lifeline.

Ignoring state appraisal laws may subject bank employees or third-party service providers to fines or even criminal penalties. National banks relying on federal preemption for appraisal laws should take another look at that assumption in light of Dodd-Frank.

Pegasus Bank in Dallas said Wednesday that it had raised $3.5 million in a stock sale and that it is using the funds to bolster its capital ratios.

Post Oak Bank in Houston is looking to raise roughly $20 million through a stock sale and could use at least a portion of the proceeds to make its first-ever acquisition.

A debt settlement operation that allegedly lured consumers with exaggerated claims agreed to a $3.3 million settlement of charges of deceptive practices brought by the Federal Trade Commission.

Here's a systemic risk bankers and regulators prefer not to discuss: Banks so big they get away with chronically unethical and illegal behavior.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is giving the participants in its "small business" review panel five additional days to offer comments on the agency's mortgage banking compensation proposals.