Illinois

Consumer advocates are urging local governments and courts to consider a person’s ability to pay before assessing fines and fees for such infractions as unpaid traffic tickets. Such changes could help low-income households avoid bankruptcy — and perhaps even make them more bankable.

There's a battle being waged by Bank of Montreal and its smaller rival, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as they compete against JPMorgan Chase and almost 200 other lenders in so-called Chicagoland — one of the toughest banking markets in the U.S.

An icon of the movement plans to step down later this year, following four decades in the industry and countless University of Lending seminars.

Holding multiple face-to-face meetings with executives from MB Financial helped Fifth Third land the Chicago company for a lower price than another suitor offered.

The Indiana bank would add nearly $100 million in deposits with its purchase of FM Bancorp.

Nearly a third of the company's revenue will come from noninterest income after it buys SCB, which owns a large insurance and farmland management business.

First Midwest Bancorp has agreed to buy Northern States Financial in Waukegan, Ill., for $91 million.

Union Bankshares has reached an agreement under which Federal Savings Bank will originate mortgages in its branches.

The Chicago company will close 19 branches and eliminate 150 jobs, partially reflecting changing customer preferences.

The high multiple Fifth Third is paying for MB Financial raises questions about whether it can cut enough costs, realize enough growth and win over skeptical investors.