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A seemingly minor change to accounting rules governing the treatment of loan losses could effectively serve as a tax on bank acquisitions, say critics. Or not — even accounting experts are split, if not confused, about the rule, after three years of debate.

A call to improve customers' digital-banking experience was the top theme during SourceMedia's Digital Banking Summit. Banks should imitate the Apples and Googles of the world, not each other, experts said.

Terrorism financiers are exploring the use of virtual currencies such as bitcoin to fund their operations as authorities crack down on the flow of illicit money through more traditional channels, the U.S. Treasury Department said.

Worth Carter is reluctant to talk to investors and media. He is tight-fisted with costs and is willing to hold off making loans. His namesake bank doesn't offer online banking. But the institution is riding a hot streak of profitability that would make other banks jealous.

Community West Bancshares in Goleta, Calif., said that a litigation settlement concerning its sale of residential-mortgage loans will reduce its second-quarter profit.

It's not just banks that feel the heat when they behave badly, credit unions are under increased regulatory scrutiny as U.S. and foreign banking companies have gotten hit with billions of dollars in fines and settlements so far this year. From tax fraud to processing transactions for groups suspected of terrorism, we catch you up if you've lost track.

A watchdog group is proposing a ballot measure that would impose a cap on interest rates charged by the lenders.

Anthony Albanese, the top deputy to New York bank regulator Benjamin Lawsky, will become acting head of the state's Department of Financial Services when his boss steps down next week, signaling little change in that office's aggressive stance on financial enforcement.

Swedish e-commerce payment gateway Klarna has hired former American Express executive Michael Rouse to be the chief commercial officer for the company's U.S. launch this year.

Highlands Bancorp in Vernon, N.J., has acquired LCD Mortgage, a residential mortgage originator in Totowa, N.J.