Banking

ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals today revived NCUA's suit against Barclays Capital that claims the bank misrepresented more than $555 million in mortgage-backed securities (MBS) that led to the failure of Western Corporate FCU and U.S. Central FCU.

Roughly 12.7 million Americans were hit with identity fraud in 2014, a 3% drop from a year earlier, while losses tied to that fraud fell 11% to $16 billion, said the study, which was released by Javelin Strategy & Research.

Here's the sales pitch: use the service as much as you want for a flat monthly fee of under $10, potentially saving money over paying per transaction. It sounds like Netflix, but it's a new and fairly unconventional approach to how Cardtronics is selling ATM access.

The trade group's leader touted progress in areas such as qualified mortgages and flood insurance, but he also encouraged members to keep speaking out against overzealous supervision.

HomeTrust Bancshares created a special call center and encouraged tellers to invite ATM customers inside the branches to answer questions and to differentiate the company from Bank of America in terms of fees.

There was plenty for banks to be encouraged about in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s most recent Quarterly Banking Profile, which reported comprehensive industry earnings for the fourth quarter and all of 2014. Community bank lending is showing steady growth, capital levels keep rising and the FDIC's insurance reserves are stabilizing. But the numbers also contained worrisome signs. Here are key takeaways from the report.

The Wisconsin bank's cautious approach to technology and other innovations says a lot about its overall philosophy. It is treading carefully on Apple Pay, marketplace lending and other cutting-edge items while it is encouraged by its customers' switch to electronic banking.

JPMorgan Chase has agreed to a $50.4 million settlement with the Justice Department for robo-signing documents sent to homeowners in bankruptcy and for related abuses.

The $691 million-asset Howard will pay $10.1 million, or $5.09 a share, in cash and stock for the $226 million-asset Patapsco.

Unique Management Services is handling collections for the Hamilton Township Free Public Library in New Jersey, which is owed an estimated $200,000 in unpaid fines for overdue books and materials. The collection agency contracts with large public libraries nationwide.

Investors taking over delinquent mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must work harder to reach deals allowing borrowers to keep their homes, according to new rules that are a nod to housing advocates who complain that investors often treat homeowners unfairly.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency released a set of new rules for the sale of troubled mortgages by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The California company has poached lenders from larger rivals, while expanding into specialty finance lines. Those moves have positioned Opus for a growth spurt that should outpace organic growth at most other community banks.

Banks have to invest in mobile technology in order to keep up with millennials. But bankers also need opportunities to rub shoulders with young customers — and small, conveniently situated branches give them an opportunity to do so.

Cambridge Bancorp in Massachusetts will soon have a new president and chief executive.

JPMorgan Chase & Co., Lockheed Martin Corp. and Microsoft Corp. are among 32 technology, banking and retail companies urging lawmakers to pass legislation that provides legal protection for sharing hacking threats.

MUSKEGO, Wis. — Jim Schrimpf has retired from his position on the board of directors at Corporate Central CU here, with Jay Magulski set to take his place on the corporate CU's board.

Springleaf Holdings Inc., the U.S. consumer lender that sold stock to the public in 2013, agreed to buy Citigroup's subprime lender OneMain Financial for $4.25 billion in cash.

Sterling Bancorp in Montebello, N.Y., has acquired payroll funding firm Damian Services Corp.

WSFS Financial in Wilmington, Del., has agreed to buy Alliance Bancorp Inc. of Pennsylvania in Broomall.