Retail & Commercial

Politicians who support the idea of banking as a public utility may not be very concerned with the fate of community banks. Rather than say so directly, they gloss over the facts.

American Banker readers share their views on the most pressing banking topics of the week. Comments are excerpted from reader response sections of AmericanBanker.com articles and our social media platforms.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has struggled internally with how to end potential discrimination in auto lending, including debating whether it should cite a large lender in the hope of effectively ending the ability of partnering dealers to mark up loans with all lenders.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has struggled internally with how to end potential discrimination in auto lending, including debating whether it should cite a large lender in the hopes of effectively ending the ability of partnering dealers to mark up loans with all lenders.

Porter Bancorp in Louisville, Ky., has Edmond Seifried to its board. Seifried, 68, is executive director of the Sheshunoff Affiliation Program, which provides education and an idea exchange to community bankers.

Officials signaled that Hudson City Savings Bank's nearly $33 million settlement over redlining charges is only the first in what is likely to be a string of other cases.

Sound Financial Bancorp in Seattle has hired a former Federal Home Loan Bank executive as chief administrative officer of its bank.

Premier Financial Bancorp in Huntington, W.Va., has hired a former BB&T executive as its bank president and chief executive.

A Nevada firm is trying to make debt collections easier, friendlier and more interesting on a smartphone app designed for the underbanked. The new app, called PaySwag, is being marketed to banks and other companies to foster a more proactive approach to collections.

Western Alliance Bancorp's Bridge Bank in San Jose, Calif., has created a lending group to focus on the life sciences sector.