Midwestern community banks are in their best financial condition since early 2009, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency said in a May 13 report.

Kennebec Savings Bank has a 19th century charter, but it is poised for a complex conversion to deal with modern challenges like activists investors, M&A pressures and even Basel III.

Homeowners who took advantage of the refinancing boom aren't buying new houses, because it would mean taking on higher-rate loans. That's a problem for banks already reporting huge declines in mortgage revenue.

Attendees at this year's D.A. Davidson Conference believe the approval process is calming down somewhat. Other bankers say they are looking to lower capital levels, with many showing an interest in deposit-rich franchises.

Bankers are optimistic that they will bounce back after a harsh winter in almost every part of the country raised their snow removal costs, slashed mortgage income and slowed overall customer activity.

Two of the largest companies in the student loan market will pay $97 million to settle federal charges that they unlawfully charged military personnel high interest rates and late fees on student loans.

Mortgage applications increased during the week ending May 9, driven by a jump in requests for refinancings, according to a report from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Banc of California (BANC) in Irvine is looking to raise $100 million by selling common stock and tangible equity units.

Banks should view the recent influx of regulations on small-dollar credit loans as a chance to develop products that are at once profitable and safe for consumers.

Associated Banc-Corp (ASBC) in Green Bay, Wis., has been hit with a $500,000 fine by regulators for deficiencies in its anti-money laundering compliance procedures.

Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) keeps expanding in Michigan, agreeing to buy 13 more branches from Bank of America (BAC).

United Kingdom-based payday lender Cheque Centre is permanently leaving the payday loan business and has suspended related debt collection calls following enforcement action by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Green Tree's bad report card comes as regulators and lawmakers are scrutinizing nonbank servicers that have aggressively purchased mortgage servicing rights from banks.

By strengthening direct consumer oversight, Bitcoin may shift consumer protection from law and regulation to reputation and trust, and even to mathematical proof of good service.

Collection efforts by businesses often damage customer relationships with negative communications tactics, according to a survey of 1,000 respondents commissioned by Nuance.

Negotiations between industry, consumer groups and universities on U.S. rules for banking services aimed at college students have stalled over a Department of Education proposal to ban most account fees.

Student loan company Sallie Mae has agreed to pay approximately $97 million to settle accusations by the Justice Department that it overcharged certain members of the military and by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. that it misled consumers about late fees.

The government-sponsored enterprises just went a long way toward encouraging lenders to make more loans to borrowers with lower credit scores.

Household debt has increased in three consecutive quarters for the first time in about six years, according to a report released Tuesday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Banks are adding more stock to their top employees' compensation packages, according to executive recruiter Rod Taylor. That can help some bankers reap bigger payouts if they work for a company that is likely to get sold, although for some bankers, "cash is still king," Taylor says.