Consumer lending

Postal banking in the U.S. hasn't gotten off the ground, partly because of strong resistance from American banks. But a successful trial offering of affordable consumer loans by Toronto-Dominion and Canada Post, and their plans to take them nationwide, are a reminder that the idea persists.

The New York State Department of Financial Services found that the community bank's policies led to minority borrowers paying more for auto loans. Though it did not find evidence of intentional discrimination, the bank agreed to pay a $950,000 fine and restitution.

Amid fears of a recession, industry observers will be on the lookout for signs of distress in credit cards and auto loans. One analyst said "the positive trends we've been seeing are starting to erode, and the pressure is going to start building."

Tally Technologies, a startup that automates credit card payments, has tripled its valuation to $855 million in a funding round led by Sway Ventures.

The Biden administration was accused in a lawsuit by six Republican-led states of overstepping its authority with a plan to forgive federal student loans.

President Biden's loan forgiveness plan will wipe out about one-third of student debt owed to the federal government, with lower-income borrowers and those living in Southern states getting the biggest boost, according to analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

President Biden's decision to forgive some federal student debt will cost at least $400 billion over 10 years, the Congressional Budget Office estimated, which would wipe out the $238 billion in deficit reduction from his tax and climate plan. 

The online lender approved Black applicants at lower rates than non-Hispanic whites, according to a law firm that monitors its artificial intelligence models. Upstart said it's an industry leader in fair lending but acknowledged room for improvement, calling disparities "an industry-wide challenge."

So far this year, banks have reported that borrowers continue to repay their loans and delinquency rates remain low. But there are signs that this may change.

Verve has offered its pumpkin spice loan since 2014 as part of a full menu of themed products.