BankThink

A recap of the informed opinions (and the discussions they generated) on BankThink this week, including the debate over how to expand access to mortgage credit and the dangers and opportunities presented by large-scale corporate data mining.

Wall Street Journal

A few details have leaked out (all from unnamed sources) concerning the upcoming settlements between the Justice Department, state attorneys general and banks over the sale of mortgage-backed securities in the run-up to the financial crisis. The Journal said up to nine banks are about to finalize the details of their settlement agreements. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley could settle their cases as early as late June. Others expected to reach settlements in...

It's certainly true that as customers conduct fewer basic transactions in branches, those branches will see reduced foot traffic. But branches will remain relevant so long as they have helpful and intelligent people determined to help customers manage their finances.

Big data has the potential to help people save money, improve their lifestyles, treat existing ailments and prevent new ones. But it's up to the business sector to earn the trust of consumers and lawmakers.

Wall Street Journal

Regulators are looking at credit unions, and regional banks to a lesser extent, as the weak link in the money laundering fight. With regulatory scrutiny pushing big banks out of the business of handling transactions for money-services businesses, such as check-cashers, those businesses are now turning to credit unions. And many of those credit unions are small institutions without the sophisticated technology and processes needed to weed out money-launderers. Drug dealers and other...