Consumer lending

Customers expect fast loan approvals, CEO Brad Calhoun says, so the credit union now lets artificial intelligence decide who will get credit cards, auto loans and personal loans. 

While other European-based banks have retreated from the United States, Santander is doubling down by building out its nationwide digital-banking platform. "Unequivocally," said U.S. CEO Christiana Riley, "the opportunity … is so clear."

The credit union partnered with Bloom Credit to offer members a new way to build their credit score by sharing rent and utility payment data.

A federal judge has ordered FDATR, a now-defunct student loan debt relief provider, to pay $43 million in restitution and fees, bucking the trend of cases brought by the Biden administration-era Consumer Financial Protection Bureau being dropped.

The online consumer lender beat revenue expectations in the first quarter, but its net income was dragged down by larger provisions that the company attributed to tariff "uncertainty."

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's exit from a suit jointly filed with the New York attorney general's office narrows a major subprime lending case.

The growth of digital payments, coupled with the U.S.'s new open banking framework, may finally move the needle for an alternative form of credit decisioning.

The auto lending specialist did not alter its financial guidance in the wake of President Trump's 25% levies on imported vehicles. Ally posted a net loss of $225 million in the first three months of 2025 following a one-time balance sheet restructuring.

The regional bank is offloading a $1.9 billion student loan portfolio in order to focus on its relationships with existing customers, said CEO Bruce Van Saun.

From reduced demand for auto loans to a slowdown in mergers and acquisitions, here's some of the new trade war's potential fallout for lenders.

President Trump's tariffs on imported vehicles threaten to drive up auto prices at a time when more car owners are already drifting into delinquency on their loans.

In a surprise move, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said that it will not enforce or supervise lenders for the final payday lending rule. The bureau also plans to  narrow the scope of the rule.

After eight years of delay, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau could still make last-minute changes to the payday rule, which sweeps in the buy now/pay later industry.

The Trump administration's plans for student loans could open the door for banks to grab market share as borrowers seek alternatives.

The law would have expanded the state's 12% interest rate cap in a manner that would have effectively banned fintech lending in the state.

The Trump administration wants the Small Business Administration to shrink its workforce by 43%. At the same time, the agency is being asked to start managing the federal government's student loan portfolio.

Five Star Bank's parent company denied wrongdoing but said the agreement spares it the uncertainty and expense that might have resulted from a trial.

The Detroit lender will take a first-quarter hit due to a latest balance sheet restructuring, but said the play should boost profitability in the long term.

Serious delinquencies on auto loans rose to almost 3% in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the New York Fed. Researchers blame the affordability problem on soaring car prices.

Founder Ken LaRoe says his decision to step back from daily management chores will help the Orlando, Florida-based Climate First Bancorp maintain its independence.