Consumer lending

Signs of loan growth appear (if you look hard) at BofA

04/16/18

Lending, especially in some consumer segments, increased at Bank of America in the first quarter, and CEO Brian Moynihan expects that to continue this year. However, for market watchers skeptical about the industry's growth prospects, BofA's numbers may do little to change their minds.

[more]

Don't overlook women-owned businesses

04/16/18

Expanding SBA funding and providing additional Community Reinvestment Act credit could help boost female entrepreneurs.

[more]

With help from regulators, small-dollar loans can work for banks, borrowers

04/13/18

Regulators should revise existing rules to encourage banks to offer short-term loans to customers who run into financial emergencies.

[more]

Online lenders adopt the model they sought to disrupt

04/12/18

As upstart companies mature, they face pressure to develop deeper relationships with their customers. That is leading some to offer to a wider range of products, including deposit accounts.

[more]

Grading Treasury’s CRA reform memo: ‘Incomplete’

04/12/18

The Treasury Department’s long-awaited report on modernizing the Community Reinvestment Act was heavy on glittering generalities but light on specifics, which explains why the report punted the real job of making needed reforms.

[more]

U.K. banks start cracking down on consumer borrowing

04/12/18

Concerned about rising default rates, banks "significantly" tightened underwriting in the first quarter, the Bank of England said in a report published Thursday.

[more]

Regulators are fueling another housing boom

04/12/18

The government is pushing up mortgage prices to dangerous levels by easing credit standards in a market where supply is low but demand is high.

[more]

A $100 cash advance for free? One firm is trying the idea

04/12/18

Oportun, a consumer lender that focuses on Latinos, is rolling out a product designed to combat overdraft fees.

[more]

CRA’s black box could prove difficult to open

04/11/18

Critics argue that Community Reinvestment Act standards need to be more transparent, but creating more objective measures would require regulators to favor some types of loans over others.

[more]

Higher rates, loan demand boost Washington Federal's 1Q profit

04/11/18

The Seattle bank's improved loan yields offset higher expenses tied to Bank Secrecy Act remediation. Washington Federal had to delay a pending acquisition after issues emerged with its anti-money-laundering compliance.

[more]