M&A

The OCC finds that Wells Fargo was not alone in its sales abuse practices (though it's not naming names); Fifth Third's Tim Spence is our Digital Banker of the Year; the CFPB acting director wipes out the agency's Consumer Advisory Board; and more from this week's most-read stories.

The Pittsburgh company said that the moves would improve both operating efficiency in its retail network and the credit profile of its consumer loan portfolio.

First Midwest Bancorp has agreed to buy Northern States Financial in Waukegan, Ill., for $91 million.

The OCC finds widespread problems in bank retail sales practices; Ripple and Swift competition for payments pits technology against convention.

The Michigan company will buy 52 branches and $2.3 billion in deposits from the San Francisco banking giant.