New York is demanding that force-placed insurers lower their rates after a series of hearings highlighted the high cost of the policies and potential conflicts of interest in how banks purchase insurance on delinquent borrowers' homes.

Most of us buy into the thinking that the slow pace of bank M&A is a bad thing. But, unless you are an investment banker or a lawyer who advises on deals, there are a lot of benefits to measured consolidation, some industry observers say.

A year and a half after reserve releases emerged as a saving grace for bank earnings, allowance reductions accelerated early this year and accounted for perhaps 14% of the industry’s net income.

Privatebancorp (PVTB) in Chicago is in no rush to boost its dividend, preferring instead to use any excess capital to grow earning assets and invest in new products.

The final price Grandpoint Capital would pay for National Bank of California depends on the seller's loan losses, expenses over two years and other contingencies.

Warren Buffett likes community newspapers and he likes big banks. So, why not community banks, too? Analysts discuss the pros and cons of Berkshire Hathaway investing in community banks.

Bankers fear enforcement action amid allegations that dealer rates vary by race.

PNC Financial Services Group (PNC) is setting aside an additional $350 million in second-quarter reserves to cover demands to repurchase bad mortgages, a 10-fold increase from the prior quarter.

Data broker Spokeo Inc., a firm that compiles and sells detailed information profiles on millions of consumers, will pay $800,000 to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it marketed the profiles to companies without taking steps to protect consumers as required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Grandpoint Capital announced late Monday that it is buying NCAL Bancorp, the holding company for the National Bank of California, a $341 million-asset bank with five branches in southern California.

PITTSBURGH – Century Heritage FCU, one of 19 local institutions sued by a legally blind consumer over the ATM provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, has agreed to upgrade its ATMs over the next three months to provide adequate access to the blind in exchange for dismissal of a class action suit.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has launched a review of alleged discrimination in auto lending. Bankers fear it will opt for punitive enforcement over rules to prevent misconduct.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK/A), the holding company run by billionaire Warren Buffett, offered to buy Residential Capital LLC's mortgage unit.

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Zions Bancorp. (ZION) will auction off up to $200 million of senior notes this week to repay its federal aid or other debts.

Autonomous Research in London has recruited Guy Moszkowski and Brian Foran to start its U.S. unit later this year.

The Treasury has commenced another auction of Tarp holdings. At least banks are planning to use the auction as an opportunity to retire preferred shares that will carry a 9% interest rate in late 2003.

In the years during and after the financial crisis, American families' net worth decreased to levels not seen since 1992. Regulators cited home equity declines as the primary reason behind the drop.

RENO, Nev. — Members of Sparks City Employees FCU approved the merger of their ailing one-time $16 million credit union into Great Basin FCU, the state's eighth-largest credit union.