E*Trade Financial Corp. and its insurers have agreed to pay $79 million to settle a class-action suit brought by investors over losses in its mortgage and home-equity loan portfolios.

ESSA Bancorp Inc. in Stroudsburg, Pa., announced early Thursday that it is buying the $421 million-asset First Star Bancorp Inc. in Bethlehem, Pa., for $24.2 million in cash and stock.

While banks are in varying stages of readiness for compliance, the FFIEC's guidance has affected smaller and regional banks disproportionately. Many must cobble together security systems from multiple vendors to make the grade.

The California attorney general's lawsuit against Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac raises questions about preemption and the FHFA's authority, but seems unlikely to produce revelations about foreclosures.

Residential loan applications fell by almost 3% for the week that ended Dec. 16, despite continued historically low rates, according to figures compiled by the Mortgage Bankers Association.

New Century Bancorp in Dunn, N.C., has agreed to sell two of its branches to Lumbee Guaranty Bank in Pembroke, N.C.

FORT LEWIS, Wash. – America’s CU has relocated its Lacey branch into a former Citizens Bank office.

BNC Bancorp in High Point, N.C., has agreed to buy KeySource Financial Inc. in Durham, N.C., in an all-stock deal valued at $12.2 million.

Bank of America dumped close to $1 billion in credit card assets in two separate deals announced on Wednesday, as part of its effort to slim down and focus on its core business lines.

With the settlement talks over foreclosure violations inching closer to a final deal, two members of Congress are urging the Justice Department not to approve any deal that releases servicers from violations of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

First National Bank of Omaha next year will launch three cobranded credit card programs, Steve Eulie, the president of First National's First BankCard credit card division, said.

The Justice Department announced Wednesday that it has reached a $335 million settlement with Countrywide, now owned by Bank of America, in the largest fair lending action in history.

Webster Financial Corp. in Waterbury, Conn., has notified investors that it is considering raising more capital for the purpose investing in new business lines, bolstering its capital levels and perhaps making acquisitions.

The $293 million-asset Southwest Georgia Financial Corp. wants to expand in Valdosta, Ga., and other key markets.

Now that the Office of Thrift Supervision has been eliminated, First Federal Savings and Loan Association in Charleston, S.C., does not see much reason to retain its federal charter.

Umpqua and Washington Federal are enhancing their commercial real estate teams, while a recent Fed survey indicates a possible CRE rebound in 2012.

Occupy Wall Street will enlist the aid and support of B, C, and D-list celebrities in numerous REO takeovers around the country. And other bold predictions.

Shares of Republic First Bancorp Inc. soared Wednesday after the Philadelphia company announced that it had sold $59 million of mostly problem real estate loans to a single investor.

The most wonderful time of the year is always followed by the practice of resolving to improve in the new year. So in the spirit of the season, here are five suggested 2012 resolutions for federal policymakers.

The National Association of Realtors said Wednesday that it overestimated home sales by nearly 15% last year, an indication that the housing market is in even worse shape.