U.S. foreclosure activity fell 1% in April as banks scheduled fewer auctions even as they reclaimed more homes, according to a report released Thursday by RealtyTrac, which tracks and compiles housing market data.

Doral Financial (DRL) is evaluating its legal options after Puerto Rico rejected the company's request for a $230 million refund of overpaid taxes.

Residential Capital, the defunct mortgage company, sued Bank of America, RBC Mortgage and other lenders, claiming they sold it poor-quality loans that led to its bankruptcy.

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley reiterated calls Wednesday for the Federal Housing Finance Agency to allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to offer principal reductions to distressed borrowers and to participate in nonprofit home buyback programs.

A founding director at Touchmark Bancshares in Georgia claims he was ousted after questioning the bank's strategy. Now he is lobbying for the company's sale.

Taylor Capital (TAYC) in Chicago has been notified by the Federal Reserve Board that its bank is facing an enforcement action for employing deceptive trade practices.

Midwestern community banks are in their best financial condition since early 2009, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency said in a May 13 report.

Kennebec Savings Bank has a 19th century charter, but it is poised for a complex conversion to deal with modern challenges like activists investors, M&A pressures and even Basel III.

Homeowners who took advantage of the refinancing boom aren't buying new houses, because it would mean taking on higher-rate loans. That's a problem for banks already reporting huge declines in mortgage revenue.

Attendees at this year's D.A. Davidson Conference believe the approval process is calming down somewhat. Other bankers say they are looking to lower capital levels, with many showing an interest in deposit-rich franchises.

Bankers are optimistic that they will bounce back after a harsh winter in almost every part of the country raised their snow removal costs, slashed mortgage income and slowed overall customer activity.

Two of the largest companies in the student loan market will pay $97 million to settle federal charges that they unlawfully charged military personnel high interest rates and late fees on student loans.

Mortgage applications increased during the week ending May 9, driven by a jump in requests for refinancings, according to a report from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Banc of California (BANC) in Irvine is looking to raise $100 million by selling common stock and tangible equity units.

Banks should view the recent influx of regulations on small-dollar credit loans as a chance to develop products that are at once profitable and safe for consumers.

Associated Banc-Corp (ASBC) in Green Bay, Wis., has been hit with a $500,000 fine by regulators for deficiencies in its anti-money laundering compliance procedures.

Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) keeps expanding in Michigan, agreeing to buy 13 more branches from Bank of America (BAC).

United Kingdom-based payday lender Cheque Centre is permanently leaving the payday loan business and has suspended related debt collection calls following enforcement action by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Green Tree's bad report card comes as regulators and lawmakers are scrutinizing nonbank servicers that have aggressively purchased mortgage servicing rights from banks.

By strengthening direct consumer oversight, Bitcoin may shift consumer protection from law and regulation to reputation and trust, and even to mathematical proof of good service.