Identity theft continues to be the highest ranking consumer complaint, according to the Federal Trade Commission. With this in mind, Zoot Enterprises recently discussed the prevalence of identity theft and fabricated identities with Dr. Stephen Coggeshall, chief technology officer at ID Analytics.

The Small Business Administration is making more money available for programs that encourage investment in early-stage companies and low-income communities.

The $42 million pact is the first of its kind to resolve complaints that a mortgage servicer treated foreclosed homes differently based on the racial composition of the neighborhood.

First PacTrust Bancorp in Irvine, Calif., is planning to raise more than $40 million through a sale of preferred shares.

The industry is up in arms over a proposal that would require banks to disclose in call reports specific sources of fee revenue. In question is whether the mandate would improve oversight of safety and soundness or instead is aimed at furthering the policy agenda of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and consumer advocates.

The fast-growing First Virginia Community Bank in Fairfax said Thursday that it sold more than 1.6 million shares at $13.50 each. It plans to use the money to support growth, among other things.

Seacoast Banking of Florida has opened five offices in the last three months, called "fuel cells," to focus on small businesses. The aim is to foster more collaboration between commercial clients and Seacoast employees.

The foreclosure sale rate hit a three-year high in April, as the foreclosure process slowly returns to normal after years of delays and legal disputes.

Equity Bancshares in Wichita, Kan., has lost its president, Drayton Alldritt, to an unnamed competitor.

A former leader of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Thursday will announce the launch of Fenway Summer LLC, a startup mortgage lending and business advisory firm.

About half of the customers who use JPMorgan Chase's Liquid prepaid card are financially underserved, and 30% of them have no other relationship with a bank, an executive said on Thursday.

Atlantic Coast Financial Corp. has settled litigation with shareholders who objected the terms of its proposed merger with Bond Street Holdings.

Branch transaction volumes are dropping but many banks continue to view physical facilities critical to acquiring customers, originating loans and branding businesses: The branches just need a different, lower-cost design.Wells Fargo (WFC), Bank of the West and Umpqua (UMPQ) are among the banks scaling down branches and eliminating teller windows. Here's a photo sampling of branch concepts that do away with the need for larger real estate.

The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage has risen for each of the past four weeks and is now at the highest level in a year, according to Freddie Mac, and the message for many home buyers is clear: buy quickly.

Virginia Heritage Bank in Tysons Corner has begun a common stock offering.

They have spent the last few years building mass through acquisitions, but AmericanWest Bank and First PacTrust Bancorp are now shedding the nonessential parts.

The fees Fannie and Freddie charge to cover credit risk on mortgages have been surging. Large segments of the market may soon be fair game for securitization without federal backing.

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) is pushing Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director Richard Cordray to tighten oversight of the collection industry, including possibly reforming the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Haven Bancorp in Hoboken has agreed to buy Hilltop Community Bancorp (HTBC) in Summit in a merger of New Jersey banks.