Employee benefits

Teresa Tanner designed a unique program to help keep new moms from leaving Fifth Third. Monica Coles of Wells Fargo has a surprising perspective on diversity initiatives. Plus, Abby Johnson talks up bitcoin.

First Financial in Ohio says financial health tools for its clients’ employees will build more lasting commercial banking relationships.

Financial institutions of all sizes are overhauling benefits policies and promoting work-life balance to better compete for millennial recruits with the hipper tech sector. The big changes include longer periods of paid time off for new parents.

American Banker readers share their views on the most pressing banking topics of the week. Comments are excerpted from reader response sections of AmericanBanker.com articles and our social media platforms.

Fearing regulatory fines, banks have retreated from selling identity protection in recent years. Institutions will get back in the market if the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is weakened.

PNC and First Data see a benefit in tailoring the health care experience with a focus on the consumer, and are working to enable that process by funding a cloud-based IT company that digitizes medical office management.

Health is one of key areas of interest for Apple developers, says Tim Cook.

The Senate today passed legislation that makes possible a repeal of the ACA’s controversial expansion of the definition of a small employer, the bill now goes to President Obama’s desk to be signed into law.

Affordable Care Act adjustments offer relief for small employer compliance challenges, but proposed solutions may also create confusion for employers and their advisers. One legal expert shares what to expect from Washington and how to prepare for ACA compliance.

With more than 13 million customers, Humana is one of the largest U.S. health insurance companies. But, according to Humana’s president and CEO Bruce Broussard, the Louisville, Ky.-based insurer is in the business of health outcomes, not insurance underwriting.

The U.S. House of Representatives will sue President Barack Obama’s administration over delaying the implementation of an employer health insurance mandate in the Affordable Care Act.

With many companies still not offering a match as a result of the recession, what are the pros and cons of contributing to this vehicle under such circumstances?

Concerns that the Affordable Care Act may be driving some employers to drop health insurance coverage for their workforce may be overblown, a study by Towers Watson released this week found.

Advisers should pay close attention to the eventual compromise on the president’s budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 because there were numerous proposals about retirement savings.

If the long-term care market is “broken,” why are some experts calling this year the year to buy the product?

Assets held in 529 college savings plans increased 16.7% last year as the largest state plans continued to attract the bulk of the assets.

Triply tax-favored health savings accounts enjoyed strong growth in 2012, including exceptional growth in investment accounts. According to a new report from Devenir Group, a Minneapolis-based investment firm, total HSA accounts rose by 22% last year, to more than 8.2 million, while assets picked up by 27%, to $15.5 billion

Leading retirement plan advisers exhibit several key differences in the way they approach their practice. Successful advisers have more efficient practices, they keep up to speed on products and trends, are better positioned to withstand uncertain markets, and are better prepared to handle specific economic challenges like low interest rates, according to Cara Farchione, manager of retirement solutions for Raymond James.

Taxpayers are getting looser with their paychecks this year, according to a recent survey. This year, 20% of respondents to a survey by John Hancock Financial Services say they’re more likely to spend extra pay they get from lower payroll taxes, up from 12% last year.

The Hartford announced Wednesday that it will stop its individual annuity business and is pursuing “sales or other strategic alternatives” for its individual life, Woodbury Financial Services and retirement plans.