The number of homes in foreclosure fell sharply in the third quarter as fewer and fewer borrowers fell behind on their mortgages, according to a report released Monday by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

Next year could be a make or break moment for John Taylor, who was hired as CEO of a Kentucky company with one of the largest remaining Tarp balances and massive credit issues.

The Volcker Rule may be finalized, but bankers still face many looming questions about the final shape of the Dodd-Frank financial reform law and other pending financial regulations. American Banker editors discuss what to expect in 2014 from regulators including the Federal Reserve, the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

A former president and chief executive of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association has joined the board of DNB Financial (DNBF) in Downingtown, Pa.

Before consigning millions of Americans to lives of perpetual tenancy, we need observers on all sides of the housing reform debate to put aside rhetoric and focus on market realities.

Valley National Bank (VLY) in Wayne, N.J., is joining the trend toward self-service banking with a plan to upgrade the technology at most of its 204 branches over the next five years.

CMS Bancorp (CMSB) in White Plains, N.Y., plans to terminate its sale to Customers Bancorp (CUBI) in Wyomissing, Pa.

The Armory Bitcoin Wallet, a security and payments application, has changed its technology to require less computer memory – but it's still a product for power users

The KBW Bank Index continued its upward trajectory in 2013, again outperforming the S&P 500 (all returns are through Dec. 12). This year, many of the top performing bank stocks among those with $20 billion or more in assets were large community banks rather than the biggest institutions.

JPMorgan Chase is strictly limiting the debit card use of shoppers who used Chase debit cards at Target during the retailer's recent data breach, which took place November 27 to December 15.

Representative Mel Watt, who will leave Congress to become regulator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, said he will delay a planned increase in the fees the U.S.-owned companies charge to guarantee mortgages.

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Investors Bancorp (ISBC) in Short Hills, N.J., plans to issue up to $2.5 billion of stock as part of its conversion from a mutual to a stock holding company.

Pacific Financial (PFLC) in Aberdeen, Wash., has named a new leader for its bank.

By assessing nearly $100 million in fines and restitution against Ally Financial on Friday, regulators sent a warning shot to all indirect auto lenders that they will be severely penalized if partnering dealerships charge higher interest rates or fees to minorities.

Team Capital Bank in Bethlehem, Pa., has done something few startups of the last decade could boast of: it survived the financial crisis and just sold for $122 million.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has taken disciplinary action against the banking software provider Jack Henry & Associates for failing to get a processing center damaged by Hurricane Sandy up and running in a timely manner.

Palmetto Bancshares (PLMT) in Greenville, S.C., is combining its chairman and chief executive roles.

American National Bankshares (AMNB) in Danville, Va., has tapped one of its executives to become chief banking officer.

Most of the bankers highlighted a year ago made headlines, took bold steps or had successful years. As expected, some bought other banks, rebranded or repositioned their companies for the future.