Credit unions

The trade group challenged the NCUA's member business lending rules enacted in February, but also hinted that it is prepared to file another lawsuit should the agency move forward with a separate regulation that would expand credit unions' field of membership.

Making good on threats it had made previously, the Independent Community Bankers of America filed suit Wednesday against the National Credit Union Administration, claiming the agency's recent overhaul of its member business lending rules violate two different laws.

Until recently, credit unions rarely used arbitration clauses, and were praised by consumer advocates for pro-customer practices. But credit unions have learned to embrace the use of arbitration clauses – and now oppose the Consumer Protection Bureau’s plan to rein them in.

Small-business owners heard "no" more often in July when seeking loans from big banks after six months of improving prospects.

Despite fears that increased compliance costs from new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules could drive community lenders out of the mortgage business, a watchdog report found that smaller companies remain active.

Executives at several minority-owned community banks nationwide, including OneUnited Bank in Boston and Carver Federal Savings Bank in New York, say they have received a windfall of deposits in recent weeks, coinciding with the introduction of the Black Money Matters Project.

Some banks are looking to reenter small-dollar consumer lending now that a recent CFPB proposal has given them greater regulatory clarity. But they may need help from technology companies to make a very labor-intensive business more profitable.