It's easier than ever for consumers to take out personal loans to pay down high-cost debt or fund big-ticket purchases, and two new studies show that they are taking full advantage of their options.

Banks' vocal opposition to the National Credit Union Administration's proposal to ease field-of-membership rules overlooks why changes are necessary and long overdue.

United Guaranty's spinoff from American International Group will result in changes to its capital structure that could shake up the competitive landscape in the private mortgage insurance market.

Federal and state banking regulators are still struggling with how to come to grips with banks whose clients are heavily involved in digital currencies like bitcoin — and that may be curbing interest from many in the financial industry.

HSBC said a cyber attack temporarily shut down its Internet banking on Friday, the second time the bank's online services have been disrupted in the U.K. this month.

Wisconsin lawmakers are reviewing a plan to allow employees of licensed debt collection companies to work from home.

It took several weeks, but deposit prices are inching up at a number of banks. Still, most increases will likely be minor until the Fed enacts more rate increases.

Prospect Medical Group, a California-based hospital chain, is one of the first healthcare providers sued since the FCC clarified TCPA language last July concerning auto-dialing cell phones, consent to call and calling wrong numbers.

TFS Financial in Cleveland reported higher fourth-quarter profit, citing a $1 million negative loan-loss provision.

The potential for more convergence between financial products and physical products raises a whole host of data and privacy issues that banks must deal with proactively.

Powered by double-digit gains in both interest and fee income, WSFS Financial in Wilmington, Del., reported a profit of $14.4 million in the fourth quarter, up 9.3% from the fourth quarter of 2014.

The CFPB has released its latest monthly consumer complaint snapshot, highlighting consumer complaints in December about financial services such as collections, debt settlement and credit repair.

American Banker readers share their views on the most pressing banking topics of the week. Comments are excerpted from reader response sections of AmericanBanker.com articles and our social media platforms.

Pinnacle Financial Partners in Nashville, Tenn., has agreed to buy Avenue Financial Holdings in Nashville.

College Ave Student Loans, an online lender in Wilmington, Del., announced Thursday that it has raised $20 million in equity financing.

Visa Inc., the world's largest payments network, said fiscal first-quarter profit rose 24 percent as consumer card spending increased.

United Bankshares in Charleston, W.Va., reported an uptick in fourth-quarter profit as lower expenses offset lower average yields on earning assets.

Bank of America announced Thursday that it customers can now suspend their debit cards temporarily; it is the first of several new features the bank has planned for 2016 after it tripled its digital banking budget.

Randolph Bancorp in Stoughton, Mass., plans to convert from a mutual thrift to a stock-owned bank. The $386 million-asset company will hold an initial public offering as part of its conversion, it said Tuesday.

The Minnesota company's management team expressed confidence in its ability to monitor risk, even as companies such as BB&T and Fifth Third issue warnings over pricing and returns.