Banking

BBCN Bancorp in Los Angeles reported a decline in quarterly earnings tied to higher expenses and a rise in loan payoffs.

The $2.9 billion-asset company's third-quarter earnings more than tripled from the second quarter, which included upfront merger-related expenses, and rose 72% from a year earlier, to $5.9 million.

The Mississippi company withdrew two merger applications in August after the FDIC targeted its Bank Secrecy Act compliance. Management says it has made significant progress and is looking forward to a follow-up exam early next year.

PHOENIX — Apple enters the mobile wallet world in a stronger position than most of its rivals, largely because it sought the support of card networks and banks before the first Apple Pay transaction ever took place.

Banks are bound to confront knotty privacy questions as they strive to make smarter use of customer data and experiment with technologies like wireless beacons, geolocation and algorithm-recommended offers.

The Community Reinvestment Act is often used as a tool to address a broad range of social problems. But the law’s expanded purpose may distract banks from their primary mission of direct lending to low- and moderate-income communities.

Signature Bank in New York reported higher third-quarter profits driven by an uptick in commercial and multifamily lending.

First Defiance Financial in Defiance, Ohio, reported higher quarterly profit after posting higher fee income.

The GSE regulator's second attempt to stimulate the mortgage market is receiving a lukewarm reception from lenders, who remain gun-shy after being forced by Fannie and Freddie to repurchase billions of dollars in soured loans since 2008.

Staples Inc., the world&'s largest office-supply chain, is investigating a potential breach of customer credit-card data, becoming the latest retailer to confront a threat from hackers in recent months.

JPMorgan Chase agreed to pay 72.2 million euros ($92 million) in fines to European Union regulators for influencing derivatives and spreads linked to Libor rates and Swiss francs, the EU said Tuesday.

The biggest fear cited by nearly 1,400 people who were polled is that they won't have enough money to pay the monthly bills.

Washington Trust Bancorp in Westerly, R.I., reported increased profitability that reflected balance sheet growth and lower costs.

Regions Financial in Birmingham, Ala., reported higher third-quarter earnings, as cost cuts offset declines in net interest income and fee income.

Wilshire Bancorp in Los Angeles reported higher quarterly profit that was boosted by recent acquisitions.

Synovus Financial in Columbus, Ga., reported a higher third-quarter profit as its total loans and net interest income increased.

Immigrant reform advocates want an Arizona judge to block two laws that have been the legal foundation for raids on businesses and the arrest of immigrant workers using stolen or fake IDs to get jobs. Supporters of the laws say ID theft victims can run into many problems as a result, including obtaining loans.

Northland Group Inc., based in Minneapolis, recently acquired the collection business of Accounts Receivable Management Inc.

A few hours into Apple Pay's Oct. 20 launch, Apple CEO Tim Cook promised the company was not looking to exploit its payments data.

Community Bank System in Syracuse, N.Y., reported higher earnings from a year earlier, as strong returns from investment services helped it overcome the cost of a legal settlement.