Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez pressured the city of Saint Paul to withdraw a Supreme Court case that was supported by banks and threatened to undercut a key way the government targets lenders over fair lending laws. Republicans are crying foul.

Landmark Credit Union joins a growing list of tax-exempt institutions finalizing deals to buy banks or thrifts.

The retail services business for Alliance Data Systems (ADS) has signed a long-term agreement to provide co-branded credit card services to resort developer Westgate Resorts in Orlando, Fla.

Ellie Mae is adding support for automated good faith estimates to its mortgage handling software.

First Capital (FCAP) in Corydon, Ind., will record a pretax charge of $650,000 for the third quarter tied to a voluntary early retirement program.

Private equity may have played a role in the deal. Crescent, led by Scott Custer, has PE backing, while an infusion set for ECB fell through earlier this year.

In former FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair's insider account of the financial crisis and its aftermath, Bair provides a detailed look at regulatory battles and delivers a scathing portrayal of Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. She also offers key recommendations for reform, including abolishing the OCC.

Mortgage firms including Bank of America that repeatedly ignored rules meant to improve service for struggling homeowners said they're on the verge of complying with standards ordered in a $25 billion settlement.

United Community Financial (UCFC) in Youngstown, Ohio, has reduced its classified assets nearly in half through a bulk sale.

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Investors Bancorp (ISBC) will open seven branches in New Jersey as part of an ongoing effort by the Short Hills, N.J., company to emphasize commercial lending.

San Diego has joined a growing list of major cities requiring banks to provide detailed data to show that they are adequately serving low- and moderate-income consumers.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued its second enforcement action on Monday, hitting Discover with a $200 million fine. Observers said it was clear violations will carry a steep price tag.

Bank shares tend to rally in election years but often fall after all the ballots are cast, a KBW study going back to 1984 says.

Aspiring consolidators are weighing the benefits of hiring lending teams as opposed to making acquisitions.

Adequate communication, data retention, requests for approval and, ultimately, cooperation can minimize a company's risk of being investigated by the CFPB or state attorney general's office.

The money will be used for housing counseling and legal services programs that were scheduled to lose state funding this year.

Scotiabank in Canada has started issuing cards on the American Express (AXP) network, the companies said on Monday.

Opus Bank in Irvine, Calif., has completed its acquisition of ten branches from PacWest Bancorp. The companies said in separate press releases that the transaction closed on Friday. Opus rebranded the branches over the weekend.