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.

Rising interest rates on loans, greater borrowing and higher fees on deposit accounts all contributed to the increase. "Altogether, this paints a picture of debt that could really start to strain the checkbooks of American families," said Meghan Greene, a researcher at the nonprofit organization that authored the report.

The credit card company says it could raise interest rates, charge new fees and implement penalty-based pricing if late fees get capped at $8. But its ability to maneuver is constrained by a 14-year-old federal law.

The Simplicity credit card from Citigroup has had staying power, suggesting that a card without late fees can be profitable. Its success shows how the U.S. card market might look different under a controversial CFPB proposal to slash those charges.

Barclays' Peter Gasparro describes Barclays' unique approach

The ill-conceived proposed rule would increase costs for a significant majority of credit card customers.

Credit-card issuers and other lenders are developing financing options focused on managing interest, rewards and credit scores for consumers who face ongoing economic pressures to their budgets.

The product, designed for wealth management customers, is the first in the U.S. to implement Mastercard's Touch Card, which helps people distinguish credit, debit and prepaid cards through a notch on the card's edge.

Balances reached nearly $1 trillion at the end of the first quarter, up 17% from a year earlier. The increase reflects higher spending by well-off consumers on travel and entertainment, as well as the pressure that lower-income households are facing from inflation and higher interest rates.

Delinquency rates in credit cards, auto and personal loans are effectively back to normal after three years of unusually strong credit performance. Industry executives say the current situation is easily manageable, but they do anticipate that key metrics will continue to worsen.

Card balances fell by 1.5% in the first quarter from the previous three months, according to data released by TransUnion. Balances remain near a record high and are up 19% from a year earlier.