Banking

Synovus Financial in Columbus, Ga., reported a sharp rise in fourth-quarter profit on loan growth, lower expenses, improved credit quality and other factors.

Commerce Bancshares in Kansas City reported lower quarterly profit on higher expenses.

The traditional method of measuring mortgage denials is fundamentally flawed. Evaluating not just the quantity but also the quality of mortgage applicants can give a clearer picture of actual denial rates.

Wells Financial in Wells, Minn., has installed an interim leader after the resignation of its chief executive.

SVB Financial Group in Santa Clara, Calif., is planning to issue $350 million in senior debt.

Central Valley Community Bancorp in Fresno, Calif., will soon have a new chief executive.

The Federal Reserve appears to have looked at Bitcoin as a potential set of rails for real-time payments in the banking system but shelved the concept for now.

In a new detailed report, the Federal Reserve laid out four options for upgrading the creaky U.S. payment system. The study raised questions about how far the Fed can, and should, go to bring about change.

Zions Bancorp earned $73.2 million in the fourth quarter, compared to a loss of $59 million in the same period of 2013, when it recorded a large Volcker Rule-related charge on debt investments.

Citizens Financial Group in Providence, R.I., posted higher quarterly profits in its first full quarter since going public.

Two Pennsylvania banks recently called off a mutual conversion/merger after the FDIC rejected it on policy grounds. The decision – and lack of guidance from the FDIC – could spell trouble for other banks with similar plans.

WASHINGTON — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has named Michael Brickman as deputy comptroller for special supervision.

The launch of the U.S.'s first regulated bitcoin exchange gives an already curious merchant base more of a reason to jump into virtual currency.

The Supreme Court gave borrowers the path to file a rescission notice without going to court, but experts expect more banks to initiate legal proceedings to stop rescissions they see as frivolous.

The Fed appears to have looked at Bitcoin as a means for real-time payments in the banking system but shelved the concept for now.

Hamilton Bancorp in Towson, Md., has added a banking veteran to its board.

Tax-related identity theft was the most common form of identity theft reported to the Federal Trade Commission in 2014, while the number of complaints from consumers about criminals impersonating IRS officials was nearly 24 times more than in 2013.

New legislation filed by U.S. Rep. John K. Delaney (D-Md.) would make student loans dischargeable under bankruptcy. Under existing law, student loan debt cannot be discharged.

The number of Americans buying autos neared a record high last year but a possible downside to the growth is drawing comparisons to the subprime mortgage boom.

The Federal Reserve System released a detailed vision Monday for improving the speed of the U.S. payment system.