Brad Bolton, incoming chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America, wants the advocacy group to push back against overly broad policymaking and credit unions' tax status, while opening the door to cannabis banking.

The Federal Reserve and the FDIC are weighing changes to their policies for reviewing mergers and acquisitions, and that’s creating a sense of urgency among bankers to cinch deals now.

Buying BT Holdings in Texas will take the Louisiana bank close to the size where it would face increased regulatory scrutiny and a reduction in interchange revenue.

The $2.3 trillion-asset company plans to scrap the charges by this summer. It joins Capital One and Ally in doing away with the fees, which face pressure from Biden-era regulators.

The Houston bank negotiated the agreement with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition after closing its merger with BancorpSouth. That deal created a lender with $50 billion of assets and operations in nine states.

Banks flush with liquidity are likely to keep deposit yields low even as the rates they earn on loans widen, which should result in higher net interest income. One industry analyst predicts “NII to the sky.”

Roughly two dozen countries have issued central bank digital currencies or have pilots underway. But until financial services firms strengthen the security of their mobile apps, these payment tools are unlikely to gain widespread acceptance.

Canadian banks have frozen just over 200 accounts under emergency powers invoked by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that are meant to end protests in Ottawa and at key border crossings, a government official said this week.

With its $1.1 billion deal for Technisys, the onetime student-loan refinancer adds a banking-core software arm as it pushes beyond deposits and lending.

Year to date through Dec. 31, 2021. Dollars in thousands.

Year to date through Dec. 31, 2021. Dollars in thousands.

The Los Angeles bank did not explain what it is investigating. It announced record annual earnings of $56.9 million in January, but news of the investigation and the uncertainty around CEO Alan Thian sent its stock price downward by 15%.

An ultracompetitive job market is forcing lenders to boost salaries, requiring many to caution investors that expenses could jump before profits from higher rates are realized.

Government officials spend a lot of time criticizing banks for gouging customers even though their own statistical reports demonstrate that fees are not a major issue for consumers.

Some investors worry the rebound in consumer lending will inevitably lead to more defaults. Here’s why bank executives disagree.

Banks are still seeking clarity from law enforcement on how to handle the alleged protesters’ accounts. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said some accounts have already been frozen as part of a financial crackdown on those accused of paralyzing the nation's capital.

The tax preparer has a well-recognized brand and wide reach, but needs tech help for its neobank.

The agreement to acquire Vantage Financial in Minnesota comes less than a year after Peoples Bank purchased North Star Leasing in Vermont.

By helping consumers understand how to manage their money in a world of shifting financial options, banks can differentiate themselves from new competition and stay relevant.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is raising concerns about exclusive government contracts and the fees that recipients of public benefits get charged. “Barriers to choice kill competition and can harm families who need every dollar to make ends meet," said Director Rohit Chopra.