Consumer lending

The Cleveland company will exit indirect auto lending and close branches so it can devote more resources to mortgages, student loans and other relationship-driven, digital-friendly businesses.

Banks have managed to steer around trouble spots in energy, hotel and mall-related credits. But fears of further deterioration, an eviction wave or more job losses are keeping lenders circumspect.

The new policy will allow the company to close some work sites and reduce the size of others. It’s part of a broader effort to cut expenses to help offset revenue declines brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

The auto lender says consumers’ skittishness about flying and using public transit during the pandemic has fueled a surge in demand for new and used cars. But executives remain wary of high unemployment and the potential for a rise in loan defaults.

Defaults have been milder than expected thanks to government relief and stricter underwriting. But with the crisis dragging on and policymakers unable to agree on a stimulus plan, loans to highly indebted companies remain at risk.

Spending is up and deferrals are down sharply, signaling that the economy has turned a corner, CEO Brian Moynihan said. The outlook stood in stark contrast to JPMorgan Chase, which set aside more funds to address potential exposure in consumer banking.

The industry can gain lifelong members in this demographic by validating their financial concerns as the economy struggles and offering guidance without judgment.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's overhaul of its Qualified Mortgage standard is alarming free-market advocates who say it will precipitate a return to easy credit and higher defaults and could disproportionately harm minorities.

Bank of America plans to offer some of its customers access to short-term loans, the latest blow to the payday lending industry.

The company, which provides credit cards to millennials, is expanding its target audience beyond thin-file consumers and those without credit histories. It will now also target those with blemished, nonprime credit histories.

Millennial credit card provider Petal is expanding its target audience beyond thin-file consumers and those without credit histories. It will now also target those with blemished, non-prime credit histories.

Second-quarter data for credit quality defied conventional wisdom, but experts said that these numbers are being artificially helped right now and the worst is yet to come.

Credit union groups continue to make ad buys for industry-supported candidates in advance of Nov. 3, but recent positive economic news could be short-lived.

Kathy Kraninger’s job status would be in question if Joe Biden wins the White House. If the president is reelected, she may continue balancing a deregulatory agenda with her unexpectedly tough stance on enforcement.

Many sectors are concerned about making money in an economic downturn, but those fears are higher in the financial sector, according to a study from Arizent.

The former chairman of the National Credit Union Administration will work with the fintech to broaden its reach in the credit union space.

Through Operation Corrupt Collector, the bureau is coordinating with over 50 other state and federal agencies to target firms for wrongdoing and inform consumers of their rights

The agency reported signs of stress on the credit quality in residential loans serviced by seven large banks as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Credit unions need to improve their processes to ensure the problems that have arisen with credit reporting during the coronavirus don't happen again.

Congress should pass legislation that would allow Home Loan banks to backstop deposits by local governments at commercial banks and lower the cost of bond financing, two mayors argue.