General Electric's plan to sell most of its financing arm has been hailed as a sign that financial reform is successfully persuading "too big to fail" firms to break up. But the end of GE Capital just means that the conglomerates left standing are even more homogeneous and risk-prone.

When Apple releases its smartwatch next week, there will be apps available from at least five banks — and four of them are community banks. Bankers see the apps as a way to get in early on a new platform, make banking more convenient and drive digital engagement.

Commerce Bancshares in Kansas City, Mo., said Monday that first-quarter profits fell 5% from a year earlier, to $61.1 million, as net interest income fell and expenses rose.

Local governments have historically relied on selling bonds to finance operations. But low interest rates and the rising costs of taking bond issues public are making traditional loans a more tempting option.

BancorpSouth in Tupelo, Miss., has been freed from a consent order tied to Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money-laundering compliance.

Citigroup has named Stephen Bird, chief executive of its Asia-Pacific division, to head its global consumer bank as part of a broader shuffling of executives.

Mobile wallet developers can find a suitable business partner in prepaid-card providers, who have already been down the path that mobile has just started.

Officials with Louisville Metro Corrections, in Louisville, Ky., are reviewing whether to hire a private debt collection agency to pursue booking fees owed to the jail. Two collection agencies submitted bids.

Federal and state of Illinois authorities moved to shut down a debt collection scam operation located in a western suburb of Chicago. The defendants are charged with illegally using threats and intimidation.

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Cryptocurrency companies and legal marijuana businesses now routinely pay thousands a month for access to basic banking services, which some think reflects their lack of other options more than their real risks.

VACAVILLE, Calif. — Whatever you do, don't call it a branch. Travis Credit Union 23rd location is a Financial Solution Center.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Shared branching network CU Service Centers of Alabama is set to return $147,000 in patronage rebates and dividends, the fourth consecutive year it has done so.

While many banks prefer to be fast followers, RBC has a patent pending on mobile wallet technology. The goal is to secure a prominent place in customers' mobile wallets before it gets harder to do so.

A recap of the informed opinions (and the discussions they generated) on BankThink this week, including thoughts on regulatory complexity, Jamie Dimon's defense of the megabank model, and how vulnerable banks really are to tech startups.

Two House Financial Services subcommittee chairmen are urging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to delay enforcement of a new disclosure regime due to take effect this summer until Jan. 1.

Synovus Financial in Columbus, Ga., has a new chief executive for its Tallahassee State Bank: Matt Brown, who had been a market president at Centennial Bank.

Bankers who hold political offices can become advocates for their communities while boosting the profile of their banks. Still, they must be mindful of the time constraints and potential conflicts of interest that come with having dual jobs.

The Western Independent Bankers, a San Francisco industry group, has a new president and chief executive.

Financial Institutions Inc. in Warsaw, N.Y., increased the size of its debt offering by 14% due to high demand.