Square

A bill moving through the California Legislature seeks to tame the largely unregulated world of online small-business lending. If passed, it would be the first of its kind nationally, but so far it has failed to satisfy either the industry or its critics.

The changes are designed to remove the complex set of fees that could vary from one mercant to another.

Jack Dorsey, speaking to a crowd of cryptocurrency enthusiasts, showed he was completely in sync with their view that digital currencies are the way of the future.

MetLife and Prudential exceed expectations; cybercurrency desk will trade contracts linked to the digital currency’s value.

A decision by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. — soon to be under new management — on Square’s ILC application could foreshadow how other fintech firms seek banking powers.

Some are in new roles or replacing legends, others are embracing new strategies or eyeing big deals and at least one is currently out of banking — but could soon resurface. Here are the industry executives to keep an eye on in 2018.

On his last day at the agency, Keith Noreika called for scaling back the Bank Holding Company Act, arguing that it burdens banks with duplicative regulation and restricts their economic potential.

CFPB director’s departure gives President Trump the chance to revamp the agency; the bank regulator is reverting to its industry-friendly ways.

Barros has no answer for Senate committee on encryption; a bitcoin network split won’t happen … for now.

The Independent Community Bankers of America is formally opposing a bank charter application by payments processor Square, accusing it of trying to “avoid” certain “legal prohibitions and restrictions.”