Consumer loan balances fell in July for the first time since 2020 as banks have tightened lending standards in response to rising rates and jettisoned assets to bolster liquidity and capital levels.

Consumers favor credit cards that offer better spending rewards and that card issuers should consider providing services to help their customers manage growing account balances, J.D. Power's annual survey found.

The embattled credit card company, which is bracing for regulatory action, warned Thursday that heavy spending on risk management and compliance will persist. Executives also said that internal and external candidates will be considered for the permanent CEO job.

Discover Financial Services' announcement of the immediate resignation of longtime executive Roger Hochschild comes weeks after the company announced it overcharged merchants for 16 years.

Corporations are leaning harder on virtual cards as post-pandemic business travel ramps up amid hybrid work arrangements, according to a new Mastercard survey. Visa separately has extended its collaboration with virtual-card technology provider Conferma Pay.

U.S. consumers set a new record during the second quarter, as card debt reached $1.03 trillion. Bankers say a healthy job market has allowed consumers to keep making their monthly payments, but they're also on guard about the impact of the upcoming resumption of federal student loan payments.

Evidence from the implementation of the 2009 CARD Act shows that warnings about higher interest rates and other unintended consequences don't square with reality.

Credit metrics are deteriorating as more cardholders fall behind on their payments. But bank CEOs detect few causes for alarm, saying they plan to stay in growth mode since most consumers have stayed current.

U.S. financial services firms should be paying close attention to the innovative Pix Credit system that is displacing consumer credit cards in Brazil.

The New York megabank benefited duing the second quarter from strong revenue growth in its giant credit card business, which helped overcome headwinds in wealth management and investment banking. But executives indicated that the script could soon flip.

Higher interest rates and larger card balances set the stage for an 11% jump in revenue from U.S. personal banking in the second quarter. That blunted the impact of a 78% surge in write-offs tied to consumer loans.

The business is deposit-taking and offers revolving credit cards as well as loans for small-ticket items. The potential sale could serve as a benchmark for other lenders considering selling their own consumer finance businesses. 

American Express is turning to some unusual allies in its quest to gain popularity overseas: shoe-repair shops and bargain stores.

Adjusted for inflation, consumer spending has largely stalled after surging at the start of the year. Delinquency rates, meanwhile, are ticking up. 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Treasury Department and the Department of Health and Human Services released a request for comment on medical debt financing products. At the same time, the White House said that the agencies will explore whether efforts to sign up customers are breaking the law.

Lloyds Banking Group, Natwest Group, Bank of Scotland and others will use the artificial intelligence tool in preparation for new rules that will require them to compensate customers affected by "authorized push payment" scams.

Taylor Swift fans across Asia have flocked to sign up for United Overseas Bank's cards as the frenzy to get hold of the pop star's Singapore concert tickets heats up.

The Supreme Court's decision to strike down billions in debt forgiveness could make it harder for millions of Americans to pay back other kinds of debt. It also threatens to further curtail lending in an already sluggish credit market.

Wells Fargo leads $70 million funding effort targeting credit-challenged entrepreneurs; PayPal adds Tap to Pay for Venmo, Zettle; Amex names new CFO to succeed retiring veteran finance chief and more in this week's banking news roundup.