Retail & Commercial

1st Capital Bank in Monterey, Calif., has appointed a chief banking officer who will take on most of the responsibilities of its recently departed chief administrative officer.

Institutional investors are betting that Americans still want backyards and porches even if they don't have the credit to buy stand-alone homes of their own, according to equity research analyst Ivy Zelman. She says that's a good thing for renters. "They can professionalize a very antiquated industry and provide the consumer with more choices for a different type of shelter," she says.

Several cities, including Chicago and Atlanta, have seen dramatic rates of improvement in delinquent commercial loans but are still short of the national norm. That leaves them more vulnerable if another downturn occurs in the highly competitive business-lending market.

Bankers can attempt to remedy confusing and ineffective consumer protection laws by assembling a task force of experienced bank attorneys and compliance officers to draft model legislation.

Avidbank Holdings in Palo Alto, Calif., has added Michael Rosinus to its board of directors.

The ability to stop using credit cards and pay cash for purchases can be a sign of financial stability as it proves a person’s lifestyle is in line with their income, according to an industry association. Not surprisingly, many people are in the danger zone.

The world's biggest banks are overhauling how they trade currencies to regain the trust of customers and preempt regulators' efforts to force changes on an industry tarnished by allegations of manipulation.

Zions Bancorp. in Salt Lake City is looking to redeem up to $500 million of senior notes.

The House of Representatives approved an update to the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009 that protects consumers from receiving calls and text messages on cell phones from a phone number that is deliberately falsified.

Wilcox Bancshares in Grand Rapids, Minn., has purchased Crow River State Bank in Delano, Minn.