Many small banks are well managed and provide value to their customers and investors. The more profound question for the economy is what effect the little guys have on the stability and efficiency of the U.S. financial system.

Banks are increasingly trying to make up for lost revenue by charging new fees -- which can anger their customers. But banks that add checking account fees carefully and transparently can maintain good customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power's Rocky Clancy, who shares his other tips for charging fees with American Banker.

Ocwen Financial (OCN) will pay $2.1 billion to settle allegations of misconduct in its mortgage servicing and foreclosure practices.

The Independent Community Bankers of America and the American Association of Bank Directors warned regulators that the Volcker Rule will force banks to lower capital to dangerously low levels.

Competition and regulation will make things difficult next year, but a panel of banking experts believes banks that mine new markets and expand product offerings have an opportunity to succeed.

The $1.1 billion-asset company said in a regulatory filing Thursday that it sold bank and insurance trust-preferred collateralized debt obligations that cost about $8.3 million -- at an $850,000 loss.

Ocwen Financial (OCN) is preparing to pay $2.1 billion to settle allegations of misconduct in its servicing practices, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

Olney Bancshares of Texas in Olney has agreed to buy Park Cities Bank from North Texas Bancshares in Dallas.

The Federal Trade Commission provided information to Congress on Wednesday on the status of its work regarding data brokers - firms that collect and aggregate consumers’ information and then resell it.

Rockville Financial (RCKB) in Connecticut and United Financial Bancorp (UBNK) in West Springfield, Mass., will close four overlapping branches after their planned merger closes next year.

BankUnited in Miami Lakes, Fla., has sold two batches of securities in order to comply with the Volcker Rule.

As more consumers pile into Bitcoin and the currency's market capitalization increases, any handful of trades will not have as strong an effect on the currency’s price swings.

BancorpSouth (BXS) in Tupelo, Miss., is strengthening its insurance business in Texas.

First Niagara Financial (FNFG) in Buffalo, N.Y., didn't have to look far to find its next president and chief executive, even though the search process lasted nine months.

Peter Orszag, a former White House economic aide and current Citigroup vice chairman, said Wednesday he "wouldn't buy Bitcoin right now," but he still mounted a moderate economic defense of the digital currency.

The banking world was full of missteps and miscalculations in 2013. These folks - well, except for those who will remain behind bars - are hoping for sunnier skies in 2014.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency has fallen behind in its examinations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac because it simply does not have enough examiners to properly monitor the government-sponsored enterprises, according to new report from the agency's watchdog.

The government-backed student loan market may be nearing a crisis, but private student loans continue to be a very good bet for lenders, according to a study released Thursday.

Flagstar Bancorp (FBC) has agreed to sell the majority of its mortgage-servicing rights but will retain the subservicing rights, the Troy, Mich., company said Wednesday.

Investors Bancorp (ISBC), in Short Hills, N.J., filed registration papers to dissolve its mutual holding company and convert to a fully stock-owned company.