Commercial lending

The agency's bulletin opens the door to banks' making more short-term loans to borrowers with lower credit scores — with few parameters beyond "sound underwriting."

A major study recently named the $2.5 billion-asset CU the No. 1 performing credit union in California.

For many borrowers, near-guaranteed approvals and faster turnaround times are more important than the lower rates offered by banks and credit unions.

MapleMark Bank, which was known as First National Bank of Edgewood when it was bought by an investment group last year, will use the funds to support commercial lending and private banking.

Seacoast in Florida slashed the time it took to make 7(a) loans within months after establishing a partnership with an online lending startup.

A British court throws out Serious Fraud Office charges that the bank conspired with Qatari investors to prop it up; investigators open 70 cases against potentially fraudulent cyber deals.

CEO Tim Sloan said that the bank has "pulled back enough" on auto lending and is poised to grow the business again.

The high multiple Fifth Third is paying for MB Financial raises questions about whether it can cut enough costs, realize enough growth and win over skeptical investors.

The company has also hit its goal of having half of total loans tied to customers around Atlanta.

While reform legislation for banks is just around the corner, market signals suggest the economy could be headed toward another downturn.