Banks are increasingly competing with nonbanks to develop products for low-income and underserved customers. Here are the crucial questions they need to ask about regulation, technology and the competitive landscape.

President Obama's moves to rein in patent litigation should ease the squabbling over intellectual property that's hampered innovation in payments and should also reduce banks' legal costs.

Wisconsin Bank & Trust in Madison has given its longtime president the additional title of chief executive.

The banking panel's top Republican said Tuesday that he hopes the committee will begin debate on overhauling the housing finance system this fall.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released exam guidance on Tuesday that details how it plans to enforce its recently released mortgage regulations.

In a low-growth market, aggressive banks are seeking to grow by poaching top performers from rivals. There are effective ways to keep top talent on board.

If federal regulators do not get the bulk of Dodd-Frank's provisions in place by the end of 2014, Congress is likely to take another, tougher whack at reform. It will make the 2010 law look tame by comparison.

Taylor Capital Group (TAYC) in Chicago plans to enter the mortgage-servicing business through the purchase of servicing rights and facilities from Liberty Savings Bank of Wilmington, Ohio.

Banks can lose business when highly regarded managers leave. Here are tips for motivating employees to stay put.

Porter Bancorp in Louisville, Ky., which has been looking to raise capital, has registered 1 million shares of common stock to compensate employees and directors.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has expanded its Consumer Complaint Database to include state-by-state information and complaints about credit reporting.

Union Bank in San Francisco has created a new bank account designed for the underbanked.

Bay Banks of Virginia in Kilmarnock is reducing its workforce due to a decline in branch traffic.

Umpqua Holdings in Portland, Ore., has agreed to buy Financial Pacific Holding in Federal Way, Wash.

The FDIC's decision to fund its emergency needs by calling upon banks to prepay future premiums back in 2009 suggests that the line to the Treasury may never be used.

A Pennsylvania lawmaker has introduced legislation to legalize high-cost, short-term loans in the state.

SunTrust is expected to announce Tuesday that it plans to put financial counselors in its branches as part of a pilot program with Operation HOPE, a nonprofit that works to provide financial literacy training to low-income families.

HSBC Holdings broke New York foreclosure law and put homeowners at greater risk of losing their homes, according to New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who said he is suing the bank today.

BancorpSouth (BXS) in Tupelo, Miss., will take a $10.9 million charge for an early-retirement program meant to cut costs in the long term — and an additional charge is possible.