Complex rules can be bent to special interests, and invite gaming and unfairness. An example is the exclusion of credit cards that don't impose "finance charges" from a great many requirements.

Although the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s yearlong study of challenges and opportunities for community banks is expected to yield a final report next month, the agency will release an update on some of its findings this week.

Community banks are geared up to spend more on technology next year, according to a study conducted in September by U.S. audit and advisory firm KPMG.

Despite losing out in the auction of ResCap, Nationstar says it's got plenty of acquisition opportunities in front of it.

As Capital One demonstrates, establishing yourself in a growth market like Louisiana can mean providing the crying towel after a big loss on football Saturday.

Regions Financial is the latest banking company to offer specialized services for military personnel and veterans.

Success will depend on how regulators handle four areas: Collaboration, scope, privacy and the regulatory burden.

Banks have hired thousands of employees to handle a crush of work from mortgage refinancing. The big question looming is what to do with those "permanent" employees once the refi market cools down.

In its $175 million offering, the $24.4 billion-asset City National is selling 7 million depositary shares at $25 each, the company said Monday. Each depositary share represents a one-fortieth interest in a Series C preferred share.

Banks and their customers were battered by last week's storm, and many are still picking up the pieces. Click to see how banks are waiving fees, suspending foreclosure sales, keeping some offices closed for months and responding in other ways to this crisis.

Citizens Community Bank in South Hill, Va., has named James R. Black, who has been its chief financial officer since May 2007, as its president and chief executive officer.

International Bancshares in Laredo, Texas, reported lower income as its net interest margin contracted. The company's third-quarter earnings fell more than 19% from a year earlier, to $22 million.

The government continues to broaden relief for homeowners in areas hit by Hurricane Sandy.

Bankrupt should be barred from selling its mortgage servicing unit to Ocwen Financial unless Ocwen agrees to honor ResCap's portion of a $25 billion legal settlement with the U.S. and 49 states, government lawyers said in court papers.

Old Florida Bancshares had been focusing on internal growth until the opportunity to buy New Traditions National Bank arose. The deal will take Old Florida to $1 billion in assets and cement its place as Orlando's biggest community bank.

MetLife is selling its mortgage servicing portfolio to JPMorgan Chase. The $70 billion portfolio would increase JPMorgan's servicing business by roughly 5%, the companies said Friday.

JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Citigroup (C) are extending some of the fee waivers and other relief they are offering customers affected by last week's Hurricane Sandy.

Boutique investment banking firm Keefe, Bruyette & Woods had survived scandal and 9/11 but has agreed to sell itself to a rival due to some of the same shortcomings that afflict many banks.

Although bankers want full insurance for certain deposits to be extended, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. encouraged institutions Monday to tell customers in advance that that insurance may expire.

Umpqua Holdings (UMPQ) in Portland, Ore., is continuing to expand across California. The $11.5 billion-asset company said Monday that it plans to open a center in Templeton, Calif., in January to make loans to agricultural customers.