Mortgages

Wells Fargo appears to be outpacing its rivals in the API race; CFPB's unexpected showdown with Citizens; Varo gets vital FDIC OK for bank charter; and more from this week's most-read stories.

Broadway Financial prefers a small balance sheet and loans to real estate investors that offer affordable housing. Capital Corps and its founder, Steven Sugarman, want the bank to expand by making more loans directly to low- and moderate-income borrowers.

Refinance application activity last week was the highest in nearly seven years, with more than triple the volume from one year ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Bankers groups are keeping close tabs on a host of legislative and gubernatorial proposals, from prize-linked savings accounts in Iowa to rent control in Massachusetts to a slew of bills modeled after California's recently passed data privacy law.

Depending on one's perspective, the surge in consumer borrowing is either a normal byproduct of a booming economy or a worrisome trend that portends a wave of delinquencies when the next downturn hits.

Mike Weinbach will lead consumer lending as part of a reorganization that will change the responsibilities of three longtime bank executives.

The administration proposed to end the housing trust funds now financed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and to subject numerous agencies to the congressional appropriations process, among other things.

The additions come as the Georgia regional looks to maintain momentum in commercial lending.

Banks' lowering of origination fees and loosening of underwriting standards often foreshadow a downturn.

M&T hires Aarthi Murali away from JPMorgan Chase as its customer experience chief; when a small town loses its only bank; why more banks are ditching their legacy core vendors; and more from this week’s most-read stories.