Banking

Community banks are testing out a new tool that makes it easier (and far cheaper) for commercial customers to estimate the value of their companies.

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is requesting additional information from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation about its involvement in Operation Choke Point.

Pitney Bowes and Broadridge Financial Solutions have created a joint venture for paperless banking called Inlet and plan to invest $15 million to $20 million in it, the companies say.

Lenders are relaxing overlays and adjusting pricing to attract more VA business.

Wells Fargo failed to convince a U.S. appeals court that a multibank mortgage settlement in 2012 barred the government from suing over home lending practices it claims led to hundreds of millions of dollars in federal insurance payouts.

Moody's Analytics has agreed to acquire WebEquity Solutions, a provider of cloud-based loan origination and loan risk analysis solutions for financial institutions.

American Banker asked readers, BankThink contributors and staff members to recommend books for bankers to take on their summer vacations. Share your own suggestions in the comments section below.

Leonard G. Potillo III, the owner of Florida-based debt buyer United Credit Recovery LLC, was arrested Monday and charged with bribing a U.S. Bank official to get inside information on the sale of debt portfolios.

TriState Capital Holdings (TSC) in Pittsburgh has raised $35 million through a private placement of subordinated debt.

A Missouri collection agency plans to lay off 108 workers, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice filed with the state.

Loan reserving is one of the most important decisions in banking. Yet there is no accounting, regulatory or industry numerical guideline for “adequate” levels of the allowance for loan losses.

The best marketing strategies are not focused on selling stuff, but rather on connecting with prospective or existing customers on an emotional level, Ed Ianni writes.

Meridian Bancorp (EBSB) in Peabody, Mass., has launched a common stock offering as the newly created holding company for East Boston Savings Bank.

A bill to improve access to credit and qualified mortgages for low and moderate income borrowers, while protecting consumers from bad loans, passed Monday in the U.S. House.

Bank of America (BAC) has agreed to sell 17 branches in North Carolina and Virginia with a total of $944 million in deposits to First Community Bank in Bluefield, Va., and HomeTrust Bancshares (HTBI) in Asheville, N.C.

Riverland Bancorp. in Jordan, Minn., has raised roughly $1.3 million by selling common stock.

Eagle Bancorp (EGBN) in Bethesda, Md., has agreed to buy Virginia Heritage Bank (VGBK) in Tysons Corner, Va.

PayPal President David Marcus is leaving the eBay unit to lead Facebook's messaging products.

Signature Bank (SBNY) in New York plans to sell 2.1 million new shares of common stock.

National Bank of Commerce in Birmingham, Ala., is beefing up in Florida with a deal to buy United Group Banking Company of Florida in Longwood.