Consumer lending

The traditional method of measuring mortgage denial rates is fundamentally flawed and can produce mistaken conclusions about access to credit.

In Russia, according to a report from The Moscow Times, an alarming debt collection trend involves collectors seizing household pets from debtors who have defaulted on their loans.

South Dakota's Senate Commerce and Energy Committee was scheduled to hold a hearing Tuesday on a state Revenue Department proposal to open a state debt collection office.

The Supreme Court gave borrowers the path to file a rescission notice without going to court, but experts expect more banks to initiate legal proceedings to stop rescissions they see as frivolous.

Tax-related identity theft was the most common form of identity theft reported to the Federal Trade Commission in 2014, while the number of complaints from consumers about criminals impersonating IRS officials was nearly 24 times more than in 2013.

New legislation filed by U.S. Rep. John K. Delaney (D-Md.) would make student loans dischargeable under bankruptcy. Under existing law, student loan debt cannot be discharged.

The number of Americans buying autos neared a record high last year but a possible downside to the growth is drawing comparisons to the subprime mortgage boom.

WASHINGTON – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Friday announced four appointments to the agency’s leadership team.

The Justice Department has subpoenaed another subprime auto lender as it extends its investigation into the industry.

Complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in 2014 totaled 39,185, a number that should rise by a few hundred as the totals are refined in the coming weeks.

Overall consumer litigation against collection agencies and creditors fell in 2014 thanks to a third straight year seeing a decline in Fair Debt Collection Practices Act cases.

Capital One Financial posted a 17% rise in net income in the fourth quarter thanks largely to growth in its U.S. credit card business.

BB&T and KeyCorp's quarterly results showed how more diversified regional banks can turn to their insurance sales, investment banking and other fee generators for backup until interest rates improve. Whereas the smaller Huntington Bancshares needed strong loan growth in a quarter (and year) when fees fell.

Stephen Steinour, the head of Huntington Bancshares, cited strong projected growth in auto sales and an improving housing market as good signs for the Midwestern bank's fortunes in 2015.

For better or worse, banking is a balancing act these days.

An Ohio County's tax lien sale of unpaid penalties and taxes on more than 1,000 properties resulted in more than $1.1 million.

A federal credit report accuracy study found that most consumers who previously reported an unresolved error on one of their three major credit reports believe that at least one piece of disputed information is still inaccurate.

Two Minnesota senators introduced a bill Tuesday to add language to the definition of "collector" and "collection agency" that includes debt buyers, a move that would require buyers to become licensed as collectors in the state.

U.S. banks are cutting off payday lenders' access to a database of account information used to evaluate potential borrowers as regulators seek to rein in abusive practices.

The FTC has issued a complaint against a Texas-based debt collection operation and its current and former principals for threatening consumers with false claims that unless they pay a debt, they will face legal action or wage garnishment.