Coronavirus

Yes, the Small Business Administration's emergency funding program for the coronavirus crisis is off to a rocky start, but that shouldn't stop banks from helping customers in need.

The $5.9 billion-asset Liberty Bank in Middletown had set aside $5 million to make small-dollar loans to customers affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The agency proposed changes in December to how customer relationships affect the definition of brokered funds, which has big implications for banks that are not well capitalized.

Mastercard has increased the contactless payment limit to CA$250 across Canada to provide consumers with a safer way to pay during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Oregon-based institution is the latest to offer bonus pay for branch staff facing additional risks by coming to work.

Requiring banks to test themselves is likely to be a waste of time in the current crisis, says a former Senate Banking counsel.

Nonbank financial firms spent years lobbying against tougher regulation and stricter capital requirements, arguing they didn't pose a risk to the financial system. Now, many of those companies say they are in desperate need of a bailout.

Limiting access to branches because of the pandemic has forced executives to re-examine whether they offer enough mobile and online services.

It’s a time of challenges, but fraud teams who adapt well to them will strengthen their systems, and their understanding of their customers and their business, says Identiq's Urid Arad.

Amid the worldwide coronavirus crisis, making cross-border payments to emerging markets has been akin to putting together a jigsaw puzzle without many of its pieces.

Regulators point to traditional financial institutions as well-positioned to meet short-term credit needs during the coronavirus pandemic, but there are still a host of questions about whether the industry should try to compete with high-cost lenders.

Many bankers find crucial parts of the SBA effort to help businesses hurt by the coronavirus outbreak to be unclear and onerous. If those issues go unresolved, participation could suffer.

Mortgage lenders are preparing for the biggest wave of delinquencies in history. If the plan to buy time works, they may avert an even worse crisis: Mass foreclosures and mortgage market mayhem.

The worsening economy brought on by the coronavirus pandemic has big banks rethinking who they will lend to.

Digital banks outscored brick-and-mortar banks in a recent J.D. Power study of customer satisfaction. However, the survey pointed to shortcomings in call center services, which are in high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The insurance and research company expects the U.S. to fall into a recession as unemployment spikes and the GDP declines.

Admitting it "may be professional suicide" to take the reins in the midst of a global health crisis, Brady Harris says his role atop Dwolla's management chain will be "a real test of my leadership abilities."

The agencies will give the industry another month to submit feedback on the so-called covered fund portion of the rule "in light of potential disruptions resulting from the coronavirus.”

If Capitol Hill plans another round of stimulus, Democrats could have more leverage to demand steps such as suspending overdraft fees – a measure which could have a big impact on credit union revenue.

Lenders can offer deferred payments and capitalize on digital banking to help small businesses and consumers get back on their feet.