As with any new technology, mobile wallets must earn the trust of the consumers and merchants who would use them. Many mobile payment apps may attempt to beef up security with password and PIN protection, but a few have had their security scrutinized very publicly.

Executives at a number of midsize institutions were excited about the prospects of booking more commercial loans in 2014.

The head of NorthStar Bank in Tampa, Fla., has stepped down.

Westbury Bancorp (WBB) in West Bend, Wis., has appointed Greg Remus chief operating officer.

Citigroup is cutting 950 jobs in default mortgage servicing after selling some business to Fannie Mae.

EBay Inc. has written a new policy on virtual currency sales, set to go into effect for U.K. customers in early February.

Fee revenue and improved asset quality helped BancFirst (BANF) in Oklahoma City beat fourth-quarter earnings forecasts.

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (FMBL) in California posted higher quarterly profits as lending grew.

Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) in Little Rock, Ark., got an earnings boost ahead of its acquisition of a Houston bank.

Voice activation could give consumers increased visibility into their accounts and keep them connected to their bank.

Bond Street Holdings in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., seems to have dodged the curse of the canceled bank deal.

The chief risk officer of Ameriana Bancorp (ASBI) in New Castle, Ind., is retiring.

Republic Bancorp (RBCAA) in Louisville, Ky., fell well short of analysts' expectations after it slogged through legal disputes with some business partners.

M&T Bank (MTB) reported fourth-quarter earnings well short of analysts' estimates, capping a challenging year in which regulatory troubles led to spiraling costs.

Webster Financial (WBS) in Waterbury, Conn., reported lower fourth-quarter profit after taking a big charge tied to the Volcker Rule.

Comerica (CMA) in Dallas posted higher fourth-quarter earnings because of fewer chargeoffs and a smaller loan-loss provision.

Capital One Financial (COF) keeps waiting for its U.S. credit-card holders to become comfortable with a bit more debt. It's been a long delay, and one that will likely continue well into 2014.

The two primary functions of banking should be to take deposits and to make loans; all other services should be supplementary to these two primary activities.

Morgan Stanley, owner of the world's largest brokerage, reported profit that beat analysts' estimates as equity-trading revenue increased and earnings from wealth management climbed to a record.

Bank of New York Mellon Corp (BK:US)., the world's largest custody bank, said fourth-quarter earnings fell 18 percent because of a loss related to an equity investment.