consumer-finance

Communities Deserve Transparency in Bank M&A

07/24/14

Banc of CaliforniaÂ's proposed acquisition of 20 Banco Popular branches offers an opportunity for regulators to ensure that underserved customers and communities are not left behind in bank deals, writes Paulina Gonzalez of the California Reinvestment Coalition.

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Bitcoin for the Underbanked

07/22/14

People who lack easy and affordable access to traditional bank accounts can benefit from cryptocurrency services that allow them save on remittance fees, pay bills on time and stay liquid.

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The Way Forward for Affordable Housing

07/22/14

Lenders are working to meet affordable housing needs by extending mortgages to borrowers with a broader range of credit scores and offering loans with lower down payments. But there's still more work to be done, according to Fannie Mae's Jeffery Hayward and Anne McCulloch.

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Customer-Friendly Mortgage Lessons from Banks Down Under

07/15/14

Australian banks give homeowners greater flexibility with portable loans and an option that lets customers make prepayments on their mortgages and tap into the extra cash later. American banks could increase customer retention Â-- and build stronger client relationships Â-- by doing the same.

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Why Debt Settlement May Hurt Consumers More than It Helps

07/14/14

A recent report from the Center for Responsible Lending finds that debt settlement companies frequently fail to settle the bulk of their clientsÂ' debts, leaving them in even weaker financial positions.

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Why Big Banks' Slick Strategy Will Be Their Downfall

07/14/14

Big banks stand to lose hordes of young and dissatisfied customers to digital banking startups and tech behemoths like Google, Apple and Amazon. Community banks, on the other hand, have a more loyal base.

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Weekly Wrap: The High Cost of Fair Lending; Breakup Debate Is Back

07/11/14

A recap of the informed opinions (and the discussions they generated) on BankThink this week.

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Keep Farm Credit System Focused on the Farm

07/08/14

Unless we return the Farm Credit System to its original mission, taxpayers could be on the hook for a bailout in the near future and farmersÂ' access to credit could be reduced, writes Rep. Marlin Stutzman.

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Consumer Overdraft Concerns Highlight Need for Reform

07/08/14

The CFPB should prohibit financial institutions from reordering transactions to maximize overdraft fees, require that fees be proportional to a bankÂ's costs to provide the loan and ban providers of prepaid cards from offering overdraft loans altogether, according to Susan Weinstock of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

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Rigid Credit Score Standards Hold Back Housing Recovery

07/07/14

Regulatory requirements that bar homeowners with imperfect credit scores from receiving a mortgage are hurting minorities and the economy as a whole.

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