Resources

A federal appeals court ruled Friday that the Federal Reserve acted appropriately in setting restrictions on debit card swipe fees, marking a critical victory for banks and a major setback for retailers. American Banker editors discuss what the ruling is likely to mean for the debit card industry and whether it represents the end of the high-stake battle.

The fraud-fighting EMV chips that are a card-industry standard in Europe finally appear to be on the verge of becoming one in the U.S. Editors discuss why now and what the diffusion of the technology will mean for bankers and merchants.

While big banks are trying to recruit more employees with engineering and technology expertise, they are often losing out to startups and tech giants like Facebook and Google. American Banker editors discuss the perks, better compensation and cultural changes that banks would need to offer to get ahead in the war for talent.

Bankers are increasingly spending time and money upgrading technology to cut other costs and meet demand for mobile and online banking. But even as they buy online startups like Simple, or build their own systems, bankers at American Banker's Retail Banking 2014 conference said the feel they cannot stop investing in traditional branches.

Bluetooth Low-Energy technology, also known as BLE, is catching on among retailers and bankers as a way to identify customers as they enter an outlet and customize the service they receive. The question for the industry is whether Blee will overcome technological and privacy concerns and become a competitive advantage.

Bluetooth beacons are finding their way into retail stores and bank branches as a way to enable mobile payments and streamline customer interaction. But are they too intrusive?

The U.S. Senate's Democratic Banking Committee Chairman, Tim Johnson, and top Republican, Mike Crapo, laid out a preliminary agreement Tuesday that adds to momentum to a bipartisan effort to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. American Banker editors discuss what behind the push's rare appeal on both sides of the aisle and the challenges its backers face in coming weeks.

Retail bankers are struggling with a vexing mix of competitive and regulatory headwinds these days. As they prepare to gather at American Banker's Retail Banking 2014 conference, the publication's editors discuss what are likely to be the hottest topics of the day.