Consumer lending

Large banks have scaled back lending as competition has intensified and credit unions and financing arms of car manufacturers are picking up the slack.

Large banks have scaled back lending as competition has intensified and credit unions and financing arms of car manufacturers are picking up the slack.

Despite the hype around self-driving cars and ride-hailing services, the automotive landscape remains much the same as ever. One thing that may be changing rapidly, however, is the way consumers buy their cars.

In the wake of allegations against subprime auto lender Santander Consumer, attendees of CU Direct’s DRIVE Conference discuss steps credit unions are taking to protect against fraud risks.

Executives at Wells Fargo, SunTrust and PNC insist that credit cards, mortgages and other consumer lines can help pick up the slack as commercial borrowers remain cautious.

The nonprofit Bank On certifies banks that offer deposit accounts with minimal fees. It is one of many initiatives designed to bring more consumers into mainstream banking.

Banks have not adjusted their business models to accommodate growing numbers of financially precarious Americans. But hard times should not disqualify people from the banking system.

Reliance on asset-based loans protects banks as retail chains flounder; average FICO score hits record 700 while the percentage of those with scores below 600 hits new low.

The 'revolution' in auto financing, communication tips and the keys to member engagement were all topics of focus during the second day of CU Direct's annual DRIVE conference in Las Vegas.

Readers weigh in on a proposal for encouraging small bank installment loans, a firm that uses AI to reduce false alarms, what security improvements are needed for sharing customer data, and more.