The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. suggests an outlook for a better employment picture and future income growth.

Apple Inc. (AAPL)'s bid to replace the consumer wallet with its mobile payment system ran into a roadblock as CVS Health Corp. (CVS) and Rite Aid Corp. (RAD) disabled the technology in their drugstores.

A defendant in a deceptive mortgage and debt relief enforcement case must pay a previously suspended $515,000 court judgment after authorities learned he hid assets.

These companies, featured on American Banker's Best Banks to Work For list, go beyond salaries and health benefits to make their employees feel valued at the office.

Hot topics like cybersecurity, M&A and Operation Choke Point caused a lot of debate at American Banker's annual regulatory symposium. But in just about every case, the conversation inevitably circled back to a common theme: reputation is everything. So some, including U.S. Bancorp's Richard Davis, contend playing it safe is just plain playing it smart.

Avenue Bank's Ron Samuels says sports teach young people to work toward goals and manage their emotions — traits he likes to see in employees.

First Horizon's Employee Leadership Program, championed by CEO Bryan Jordan, has been described as "life changing" by some of its graduates. It also has helped solidify First Horizon's status as one of the banking industry's most employee-friendly companies. On our list of Best Banks to Work For this year, it ranks as No. 1 among those with more than $10 billion of assets.

In nearly every category, banks reported modest to strong loan growth through the first half, as consumer spending increased and businesses moved forward with expansion plans. Though much of the loan growth since the financial crisis came from banks stealing market share from competitors, this year may well go down as the turning point when loan demand finally rebounded.

Some banks are coming up with creative strategies for dealing with the rising cost of health care, from on-site clinics to full-time wellness coordinators. They also are softening the blow of high-deductible plans by phasing them in and contributing to employees' Health Savings Accounts.

The challenge is part of 1st National's wellness program, says Jenny Johnson, the bank's human resources leader. Employees compete in teams of four to six people, who are weighed in November and again in January.

Citi's sponsorship of a bike-sharing program in New York has been a marketing coup. Can the bank achieve similar success in Miami?

The Best Banks to Work For study is a collaboration between American Banker and the Best Companies Group, which conducts extensive employee surveys and reviews employer reports on benefits and policies.

Besides trying to figure out how to keep health insurance affordable, bankers are wrestling with a slew of other challenges, including recruitment, leadership development and employee engagement.

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has proposed legislation aimed at preventing some of the most common complaints from residents in the state, including debt collection and consumer fraud.

Our second annual ranking of the banks that win high marks from employees for providing a positive work environment, top-notch benefits and ample career-advancement opportunities. (The perks – like free lattes and subsidized gym memberships – are nice, too.)

Keeping down health care expenses by encouraging employees to live healthier lifestyles is a goal for many companies these days. Here are some of the interesting strategies that the Best Banks to Work For are using – from exercise bonuses to walking meetings.

Regulators on Friday closed The National Republic Bank of Chicago, the 16th institution to fail this year.

The company's $800 million goodwill impairment charge may reflect macroeconomic factors, but also likely resulted from a purchase of HSBC branches two years ago. Other banks are unlikely to face the exact same issues, observers said.

PlainsCapital Bank in Dallas said on Friday that it plans to close 11 branches in the Rio Grande Valley.

A Minnesota community bank has made an offer to buy American Bank of St. Paul in what would be the first time a bank was forced into a sale over unpaid trust-preferred debt.