BankThink

The past year has been a wild ride for everyone, but it has left bankers in particular with many reasons to count their blessings.Consider, first of all, the recent legislative action on Capitol Hill. After the surprise Republican sweep during last year's elections, bankers began putting together a wish list for policymakers, which included lower corporate taxes and a higher asset threshold for systemically important financial institutions. Congress has taken steps to address both issues.Regulatory agencies in Washington are also becoming more business friendly.

The trial of Stefan Buck was an unusual courtroom showdown in the decade-old fight by the U.S. against tax evasion aided by financial institutions in Switzerland.

Hackers stole the personal data of 57 million customers and drivers from Uber Technologies, a massive breach that the company concealed for more than a year.

The British banking giant has been testing its new online lending platform with a handful of its U.S. customers and plans to roll it out in full force next year. It's all part of a broader effort to expand its U.S. consumer business beyond credit cards.

A week before he is due to resign, CFPB Director Richard Cordray sent a letter to 29 CEOs at banks, credit unions and other financial companies, urging them to help consumers exert more control over credit cards, debit cards and other payment methods.