Citizens Financial Group plans to merge its two banking charters into a single national bank. The move would make the OCC the bank's primary regulator and eliminate the costs of dealing with the FDIC and state officials.
One problem is that banks are shifting to online and mobile channels for delivering advice, which is inferior to in-person communications, according to a recent survey conducted by J.D. Power.
Look for banks to boost dividend payouts, expand into new markets, increase their tech spending and, eventually, ramp up their C&I lending. But don't expect much in the way of M&A.
Capital One became the latest bank to feel customers' online wrath last week after reports that some customers were being charged twice for debit card activity. But it was hardly alone.
Dueling blockchain stories — one arguing it was virtually useless, the other saying it could change real estate lending — seized the top spots this week, while readers also focused on tax reform aftermath and a key Senate retirement.
Introducing limits on federally guaranteed loans to graduate students, instead of letting them borrow whatever schools charge, would create a multibillion-dollar opportunity for private lenders.
Under Beth Johnson's leadership, Citizens has been building a database that is designed to reveal which customers are best suited for specific products.
Flush with cash, many commercial firms are also opting to pay down debt rather than take on new loans, and those seeking financing aren’t always turning to banks to meet their needs.
JPMorgan Chase’s partnership with OnDeck Capital was expected to augur a wave of similar agreements between banks and online business lenders. But so far, most banks have avoided joining forces with companies they also view as competitors.
