PayThink

There must be a concerted effort to open the way to successful homeownership to more Americans. This should include encouraging shorter-term mortgages so low down payment borrowers build equity faster.

More than two billion people worldwide do not have a bank account, but do have a mobile phone, making the device a direct conduit to an underserved demographic.

Patent trolls generally prefer to avoid any decision on the merits at all costs, as an adverse ruling may damage their ability to file future cases. With that in mind, smaller institutions should feel comfortable drawing a line in the sand for a fair settlement.

Too often, branch employees simply manage a transaction, when they should be focused on engaging or educating the customer to make a lasting impression.

Foreign banks operating within the U.S. will be penalized despite a change made by regulators to provide more time to comply with pending swap restrictions.

Giving regulators more levers to pull and buttons to push with respect to the financial system only creates a false sense of security. The new regulatory powers come with few meaningful accountability checks.

The common enemy of electronic payments is cash, and so any technology that makes it more convenient and more rewarding to use a credit or debit account is good for business.

The latest insurance company to leave banking behind is Shelter Insurance of Columbia, Mo., and the insurer blames the Dodd-Frank reform law.

With the new year, the Financial Stability Oversight Council has greater opportunity to take leadership roles in other areas.

Issuers exempt from the interchange fee cap should continue to promote activation and use of their debit cards by way of issuer-sponsored and merchant-funded rewards.