Banking

JPMorgan Chase, the biggest U.S. bank, is considering moving its headquarters within New York as the company has fewer employees in the nation's largest city, according to a person briefed on the discussions.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau weighed into the debate about the future of digital currencies like Bitcoin, issuing a warning Aug. 11 that they pose significant risks to consumers.

Scammers in Ohio are posing as government and law enforcement officials demanding that consumers pay money immediately, according to state regulators.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau last week sent letters to 10 of the country’s largest universities urging them to publish the terms of prepaid cards, debit cards and checking accounts that banks are promoting on their campuses.

Misys, the British financial industry software provider, has acquired Custom Credit Systems in Richardson, Texas, which specializes in commercial lending technology, for an undisclosed price.

The banking industry had its second most profitable quarter in 23 years in the April-June period, according to SNL Financial.

Financial products are more available than ever, opening up vast markets here and abroad, including billions of unbanked consumers looking for new options from clever startup firms, says former Citigroup Chief Executive Vikram Pandit.

New charters were once an integral piece of the bank M&A food chain, allowing bankers to start anew after selling their institutions. Do novo banking has all but dried up, and the dearth of startups has made executives hesitant to sell their banks.

Paula Johannsen was the most-active financial adviser at midyear with six mergers under her belt. In a wide-ranging interview, she discusses Florida M&A, compliance delays and the reasoning behind mergers of equals.

The Heartbleed bug alerted banks to their own vulnerabilities and made them realize that they have heightened responsibilities toward customers when it comes to communicating security concerns, according to Joram Borenstein of NICE Actimize.

Frederick J. Hanna & Associates, P.C., an Atlanta-based creditors’ rights and collection law firm, has expanded its legal collection footprint by opening an office in Greenville, S.C., that will service the entire state.

Local officials in Daly City, Calif. will review Monday whether to approve legislation that will prohibit new payday lending businesses from opening within 2,000 feet of existing payday lenders.

The mobile-centric consumer lender is turning to MoneyGram's vast retail network in an effort to reach borrowers who prefer to use cash. The partnership applies to borrowers in 15 states, but LendUp hopes to partner with a bank to take its service nationwide.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are relying more and more on their income from loan guarantee fees just at a time when their regulator is considering a proposal to reduce those fees.

Some retailers like Disney are achieving high adoption of their wearable apps. Banks are a bit behind, but a few are piloting Google Glass and smartwatch banking apps.

Shares in Green Bancorp jumped nearly 14% following the Houston company’s initial public offering.

Regulators have released MetaBank in Storm Lake, Iowa, from a consent order tied to a payday-like loan program it once offered.

U.S. Bank, Westpac New Zealand and Australia's Bendigo and Adelaide Bank share their experiences with Google Glass, smart watch and augmented reality banking apps. One lesson: voice commands disappoint in trials.

Executives at Allegiance Bancshares have long been vocal about their desire to take the Houston company public. The company recently agreed to buy Farmers & Merchants Bancshares, giving it one more opportunity to boost its profile before taking the plunge.

Mutual of Omaha Bank has agreed to sell five branches to CIC Bancshares in Denver.