Economy

The key to an unsolicited bid is to avoid looking like a bully. That requires clear communication with a target's investors, employees and clients — along with any other banks you might eventually want to buy.

The South Pacific island's leaders have a creative solution to fix their cash-based economy that hasn't been done in the U.S. in nearly a century. But will regulators approve?

Credit unions have from Aug. 1 to Sept. 7 to apply to become a community development financial institution.

So-called transitional lending has traditionally been kept on balance sheet; but it’s become attractive to bundle the loans for transactions called (take a deep breath) commercial real estate collateralized loan obligations. Can investors stomach the features these deals sported before the crisis?

Events of the past decade demonstrate that further tearing down firewalls between banking and nonbanking businesses would be a huge mistake.

The ranks of mutually owned banks are in decline. Survivors say sharper marketing, better access to capital and lower barriers to entry could stop the bleeding.

FHFA Director Mel Watt said Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac cannot use alternative credit models until other issues are resolved first.

A bipartisan duo of lawmakers is set Tuesday to introduce a bill designed to increase homeownership opportunities for “credit invisible” consumers.

Rising taxes, declining population and the political landscape in Illinois have led several bankers to put more money and resources into nearby states.

Freddie Mac said it earned enough in the second quarter to send a $2 billion dividend to the U.S. Treasury, but the press release announcing the company’s financial results includes new language suggesting uncertainty as to whether the payment will be made as scheduled.

After yet another scandal, it's time for would-be Wells Fargo shareholders to decide: Is this a rare buying opportunity or has the bank lost its mojo?

The Fed’s quarterly Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey found that demand decreased for both commercial and industrial and commercial real estate loans.

The South Pacific island's leaders have a creative solution to fix their cash-based economy that hasn't been done in the U.S. in nearly a century. But will regulators approve?

Year to date through March 31, 2017. Dollars in thousands

Full-time equivalent, as of March 31, 2017. Dollars in thousands

Year to date through March 31, 2017. Dollars in thousands

Regardless of whether Congress could act, proponents don’t seem to fully appreciate the potential unintended consequences of a future without Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Startups and open-source software projects have raised $1.3 billion this year through initial coin offerings. The real boom may still lie ahead, fears of a bubble notwithstanding.

New entrants don’t pose a disruptive threat to the incumbent cohort of issuers, credit card networks and acquirers primarily because the incumbents — Visa, Mastercard and First Data — are prepared to compete in all segments of the market.

Readers react to the CFPB’s final arbitration rule, a new potential hurdle for initial coin offerings, a housing finance reform proposal and more.