Bank of America dumped close to $1 billion in credit card assets in two separate deals announced on Wednesday, as part of its effort to slim down and focus on its core business lines.

With the settlement talks over foreclosure violations inching closer to a final deal, two members of Congress are urging the Justice Department not to approve any deal that releases servicers from violations of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

First National Bank of Omaha next year will launch three cobranded credit card programs, Steve Eulie, the president of First National's First BankCard credit card division, said.

The Justice Department announced Wednesday that it has reached a $335 million settlement with Countrywide, now owned by Bank of America, in the largest fair lending action in history.

Webster Financial Corp. in Waterbury, Conn., has notified investors that it is considering raising more capital for the purpose investing in new business lines, bolstering its capital levels and perhaps making acquisitions.

The $293 million-asset Southwest Georgia Financial Corp. wants to expand in Valdosta, Ga., and other key markets.

Now that the Office of Thrift Supervision has been eliminated, First Federal Savings and Loan Association in Charleston, S.C., does not see much reason to retain its federal charter.

Umpqua and Washington Federal are enhancing their commercial real estate teams, while a recent Fed survey indicates a possible CRE rebound in 2012.

Occupy Wall Street will enlist the aid and support of B, C, and D-list celebrities in numerous REO takeovers around the country. And other bold predictions.

Shares of Republic First Bancorp Inc. soared Wednesday after the Philadelphia company announced that it had sold $59 million of mostly problem real estate loans to a single investor.

The most wonderful time of the year is always followed by the practice of resolving to improve in the new year. So in the spirit of the season, here are five suggested 2012 resolutions for federal policymakers.

The National Association of Realtors said Wednesday that it overestimated home sales by nearly 15% last year, an indication that the housing market is in even worse shape.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency is considering a plan that would enable underwater homeowners who have filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection to make only principal payments — and no interest — on a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage for five years.

VeriFone said Wednesday that it has installed a million payment acceptance systems in Russia.

Ohio thrift Cheviot Financial, in the process converting to 100% stock-owned company, is giving initial subscribers to its public offering the option to buy up more shares.

Free ATMs NYC's approach raises concerns among industry experts who have explored the possibility before. They say there are customer-service issues and even safety concerns around placing ads on ATMs.

Bank of America Corp. sold $700 million in credit card assets to U.S. Bancorp on Wednesday, in the struggling Charlotte company's latest effort to slim down.

The number of new foreclosures increased 21.1% in the third quarter as mortgage servicers lifted voluntary moratoria implemented late last year, according to a report released Wednesday by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency has again delayed implementation of an initiative to update and streamline the loan and appraisal data collected by the government-sponsored enterprises.

The Justice Department today will announce a settlement with Bank of America Corp. involving allegations of discriminatory lending practices by its Countrywide Financial Corp. unit, people familiar with the matter say.