Banking

BitPay, an Orlando-based company that helps online merchants accept the digital currency, says more than 1,000 merchants have signed up for its service in the past year.

Maryland bankers should team up and stop selling out to big, out-of-state players, says Old Line Bancshares' James Cornelsen. The choices they face say a lot about the options available to bankers across the country.

Without naming names, CFO Tim Sloan threw cold water on the idea that the San Francisco bank would acquire the credit card giant.

Banks are getting more advanced at using transaction and demographic data to help entice consumers to reach for their cards over those of their rivals.

Astoria Financial has already originated more multi-family and commercial real estate loans this year than all of last year, and its CEO said total loans to that sector will top $1.5 billion.

JPMorgan would like to dock CEO Jamie Dimon's pay in the wake of a giant trading loss without actually making him suffer. If anyone can find a fix, its compensation committee can.

Republic Bancorp CEO Steve Trager sees a recent purchase of First Commercial Bank as an opportunity to grow in Minnesota, despite being 700 miles from Republic's Kentucky home.

Merchants are starting to see bitcoin as a compelling alternative to credit cards for online transactions, the vendor says.

The National Retail Federation said it will try to block a settlement of as much as $7.25 billion with Visa and MasterCard over the fees they charge shops when customers pay with credit cards.

Mid-America Bankshares of Baldwin City, Kan., will buy a branch from Garnett Bancshares. The deal extends a string of deals involving community banks in Kansas.

Online Resources Corp. opened an office in the metro Atlanta area this year to attract the sort of payments-industry talent it says is rarer in Chantilly, Va., where it is based.

The deal lets Fifth Third extend its "smart-safe" service to more retailers, helping them manage their cash more efficiently.

FICO, the credit scoring company, plans to provide banks with services that ferret out fraud in real time.

The National Retail Federation said it will try to block a settlement of as much as $7.25 billion with Visa and MasterCard over the fees they charge shops when customers pay with credit cards.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency said Tuesday that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are pursuing a new representation and warranties model for conventional loans to help minimize risk exposure for lenders.

Banks and credit unions are about to receive their own mobile-wallet card reader that is expected to offer a formidable challenge to the likes of Square, PayPal and Intuit.

The FDIC can invest in the equity of teetering but salvageable banks. This would save money for the taxpayers, preserve banks that are worth preserving – and send a clear message about the future of community banking.

BB&T signs a 10-year deal for naming rights to the former BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla., home of the NHL's Florida Panthers. It is part of the spoils from the North Carolina bank's acquisition of BankAtlantic.

National Bank Holdings in Greenwood, Colo., plans to raise up to $180.9 million after completing an initial public offering.

The mobile money transmitter formerly known as m-Via is partnering with a global credit union organization to expand its reach.