Banking

Loan-to-value ratios in commercial real estate lending have returned to their levels from the bubble days, Moody's says. Loss-rates look good for now, but trouble could be coming.

A recap of the informed opinions (and the discussions they generated) on BankThink this week, including banks' subpar shareholder value and how big-data advocates can better communicate with critics who worry about the technology's potential discriminatory effects.

The refinance mortgage market's unexpected resilience in 2015 has come as the result of a number of well-timed factors coalescing to create a welcomed surprise to lenders.

Funding Circle has formed a partnership with H&R Block to provide loans to the tax preparation firm’s small-business customers.

There were doubts that CommunityOne could survive in 2011, even with the help of private equity and cooperation from regulators. Four years later, the North Carolina company is again profitable and healthy enough to consider acquisitions.

Citizens Financial Group in Providence, R.I., has hired John Bahnken as president of the wealth management unit of its bank. Bahnken had been a senior executive vice president of the wealth management group at BNP Paribas' Bank of the West.

In the relatively small universe of mobile banking apps created for business clients, the standouts offer views of worldwide account balances and customized news feeds.

A $12.4 million settlement aimed at providing debt forgiveness and cash payments to former Daymar College students ended a legal battle between Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway’s office and the school.

IF Bancorp in Watseka, Ill., has named Linda Hamilton chief operating officer.

State Bank Financial in Atlanta has reduced its workforce by consolidating several company departments, as it pivots away from failed-bank loss-share agreements and looks to acquire healthy banks.

Glen Burnie Bancorp in Maryland is looking for its next chief executive.

As part of American Banker's series on the C-Suite, chief information officers, chief technology officers and others serving in similar roles at banks shared their insights into how the industry is being affected by technology, where they wish they could spend more time and what it takes to be a driving force in their institutions.

The banking industry needs to pay attention to innovation in the payments sector, said Gregory Baer, the incoming president of The Clearing House Association.

Evans Bancorp in Hamburg, N.Y., has agreed to pay $825,000 to settle a lawsuit that accused the company of mortgage redlining.

Old Point Financial in Hampton, Va., has selected its chairman's son as chief executive of Old Point National Bank of Phoebus.

Banks and payment companies have been bearish on Bitcoin, but the virtual currency's underlying technology is growing in popularity and attracting investment.

The FDIC has proposed a plan that would increase premiums for banks that use reciprocal deposits—a tool that community development financial institutions rely upon to meet credit demand in low-income communities.

Consumers continue to have a disciplined approach to spending with their credit cards, according to the American Bankers Association.

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 from our social media platforms.