Retail & Commercial

Lowell Group, a United Kingdom-based provider of credit management services specializing in debt recovery and data analytics, has earned a consulting agency's highest rating awarded for customer service.

Target Corp. (TGT) must defend itself against claims that its failure to shield computer systems allowed hackers to steal the account data of millions of shoppers, forcing banks to reimburse fraudulent charges and issue new credit and debit cards.

After nearly two years, the Justice Department so far has accused just one bank of facilitating consumer fraud. And the aftermath of that case suggests that prosecutors' strategy is not as effective as they hoped it would be.

The U.S. operations of BMO Financial Group reported a 50% increase in its fiscal fourth quarter earnings, as credit costs decreased and revenue increased.

The comptroller of the currency said regulators will act before the end of a mandated review of potentially outdated rules "when a solid case has been made for reform."

Beneficial Mutual Bancorp has completed the stock-sale portion of its conversion to a wholly stock-owned company, raising between $468 million and $550 million.

Bank executives need to understand these basics of vulnerability and accountability when it comes to the security of electronic networks — or they could quickly lose their jobs.

The company spent several years cutting costs and exiting troublesome business to stay afloat. This year, however, management has been focused on upgrading branches and offering a small, unsecured loans to lure younger borrowers.

Nonbank mortgage servicers are already in the crosshairs of regulators. Now they will face even more scrutiny from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Regional and large community banks have proven they can persuade customers to add new plastic, emblazoned with the banks' own logos, to their wallets. The question for these issuers is: how much farther can they go with credit cards?