Financial wellness

Even relatively wealthy Americans are so worried about their finances that it's affecting their mental and physical health. That's one of the findings in a Bank of America survey of more than 1,000 people in the U.S. who have enough investable money to qualify as "mass affluent."

The Money Anxiety Index, a measure of consumer saving and spending habits, has started rising off a 50-year low. The economist who created it says that means another slump is nearing, and that banks should use the intel in pricing deposits and making other decisions.

The U.S. subsidiary of the British banking giant has partnered with Everfi to offer an online self-guided financial education program, and with GreenPath Financial Wellness to deliver in-person seminars in several cities.

The combination of their convenient branch networks and strong digital offerings makes large, national banks tough to beat in dispensing financial guidance, consumers say.

The director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has asked Congress to clarify its ability to conduct exams that ensure compliance with the Military Lending Act.