Prepaid cards have struggled against the perception that they are disposable and predatory. A card designed around the teachings of personal finance guru Suze Orman is aiming to break those stigmas — and may displace long-term banking relationships in the process.

The last thing banks need is a new competitor in the mix for mobile payments, but that's exactly what they've got with PayPal testing software at Home Depot.

First Internet Bancorp is creating a new division to offer traditional commercial and industrial lending to businesses in Indiana.

Providence Bank in Columbia, Mo., has brought in Kit Stolen 3rd as its new chief executive to oversee the clean-up of its loan portfolio and guide it through its next phase of growth.

Attorneys and consumer advocates gathered at the American Bar Association's winter meeting of consumer financial services attorneys raised various concerns about the CFPB and the impact it will have on federal preemption of state regulations of the bank and mortgage industries.

U.S. Bancorp has implemented the electronic payments system Secure Vault Payments with the Nebraska Child Support Payment Center for parents to make child-support payments online.

In the months before Bank of America Corp. acquired Countrywide Financial Corp., government officials exchanged emails discussing the beleaguered mortgage lender and rumors that it might collapse.

Investors holding at least $800 million of secured bonds in Residential Capital, which does business under the brand name GMAC Mortgage, have organized in the event the firm's parent, Ally Financial, throws the company into bankruptcy.

Robert Braswell, Georgia's banking commissioner, has learned a lot after seeing 74 banks fail in his state since 2008. He remains cautious about 2012 as his team emphasizes more risk control and corporate governance at the banks that remain.

So-called direct banks have become a favored avenue out of the shadow financial system, and into the federal safety net, for household names like General Electric, American Express and Discover.

With its deal for RBC Bank nearing completion, PNC takes a big step toward goal of reducing overhead by $150 million by early 2013.

A troubled Chicago-area community bank that just received a large capital infusion from its owners is now negotiating to restructure its loan with Cole Taylor Bank as it aims to rebuild its capital reserves.

Regions Financial Corp. is in advanced discussions to sell its Morgan Keegan & Co. brokerage unit to Raymond James Financial Inc. or Stifel Financial Corp. for between $900 million and $1 billion, according to people familiar with the situation.

Banks today find themselves in a strategic box as seemingly impenetrable as one of their vaults.

Former TARP special inspector Neil Barofsky blasted the Obama administration for undermining the CFPB with the recess appointment of Richard Cordray.

PayPal Inc. is testing its point-of-sale software in five Home Depot stores, as part of the online payments company's campaign to cut out traditional networks Visa Inc. and MasterCard Inc.

Peggy Twohig, the head of nonbank supervision for the CFPB, says the nonbank supervision team is working to assess risk in the market and identify which companies will be subject to exams.

Susquehanna Bancshares Inc. in Lititz, Pa., is scouting for a new president to run its Baltimore-area operations following the promotion of its current market president to a larger post within the company, the Baltimore Business Journal reported Friday.

PHILADELPHIA — NCUA this afternoon took People for People Community Development CU under conservatorship while it tries to nurse the troubled CDCU back to health.

Decisions to sell by some troubled banks prompted a spurt of deals last month, but M&A in 2011 was still the slowest in years. The economy and low valuations will quell any carryover effect.