Banking and credit union regulators encouraged compassionate treatment of customers in Hawaii communities hit by wildfires. They also vowed to grant expedited approvals of temporary banking facilities, be flexible in compliance matters and provide other support to financial institutions.

After an aborted attempt to set up its own bank, Edward Jones is joining forces with Citi to provide savings and checking accounts for clients.

The embattled credit card company, which is bracing for regulatory action, warned Thursday that heavy spending on risk management and compliance will persist. Executives also said that internal and external candidates will be considered for the permanent CEO job.

Establishing a conduct risk authority in the U.S. would go a long way toward restoring trust in the banking industry.

The credit card company is no stranger to regulatory penalties, but its CEO's sudden departure this week raises the specter of a more painful punishment tied to possible compliance shortcomings. Analysts are hoping to get clarity Thursday on how bad things could get.

Dan Sheehan, former CEO at Professional Bank in Coral Gables, said he's "putting the band back together" to spearhead his new, Texas-based employer's expansion plans in the Sunshine State.

Banks need to rethink their relationships with customers for an era in which transitioning to a new financial services provider carries far fewer costs.

The credit-reporting agency was fined $650,000 for sending customers marketing emails without an option to unsubscribe. Financial institutions are subject to the same law, called the CAN-SPAM Act.

Community bankers anticipate that interest rates could soon level off and the broader economy may avert a downturn as a result. If that forecast proves true, lenders could minimize credit losses and enjoy stronger loan demand than they had expected earlier in the year.