Retail & Commercial

Californians are entering the fourth year of drought, forcing bankers to seriously consider the long-term implications for farmers and other industries. In some instances, banks are reviewing and changing underwriting practices to address risk.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Monday that it has ordered Fort Knox National Company to pay more than $3 million in restitution on grounds that a subsidiary hid certain fees charged to servicemembers.

CenterState Banks in Davenport, Fla., has agreed to buy a branch from the parent of SouthBank in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

M&T Bank in Buffalo, N.Y., reported an increase in its first-quarter profit on the strength of higher mortgage banking revenue, but its results fell well short of analysts’ estimates as loan growth failed to meet expectations.

Global Debt Registry has signed a deal with credit bureau giant TransUnion to battle faulty collection practices within the $3.3 trillion market for unsecured consumer debt.

More and more legal businesses are finding themselves shut out of the banking system. But there are a number of possible solutions-including passing a law that would require banks to maintain accounts for businesses able to meet some standard of due diligence.

Only about one in four former homeowners who lost property during the housing crash will soon become buyers again as tight credit keeps many out of the U.S. real estate market, according to a National Association of Realtors study.

HSBC Holdings Plc will consider whether to move its headquarters from London once the regulatory environment becomes clearer, Chairman Douglas Flint said.

WASHINGTON — Consumers may see little change in the ultimate cost of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans despite a restructuring of certain loan fees announced Friday by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

With the Education Department nearing a deal with Navient Corp. over allegations the company cheated active-duty troops on federal student loans, the end could be near for a much delayed and heavily criticized investigation.