Fintech

Visa Inc. is facing fresh scrutiny from the US Justice Department over how it charges merchants for technology it uses to protect cardholder information.

JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and TD Auto Finance all see opportunities in providing financing to dealers for inventory, the purchase of competitors and the addition of infrastructure for electric vehicle sales. Two other banks recently said they're exiting the business, which could provide a further opening.

Community bankers anticipate that interest rates could soon level off and the broader economy may avert a downturn as a result. If that forecast proves true, lenders could minimize credit losses and enjoy stronger loan demand than they had expected earlier in the year.

Discover Financial Services' announcement of the immediate resignation of longtime executive Roger Hochschild comes weeks after the company announced it overcharged merchants for 16 years.

Corporations are leaning harder on virtual cards as post-pandemic business travel ramps up amid hybrid work arrangements, according to a new Mastercard survey. Visa separately has extended its collaboration with virtual-card technology provider Conferma Pay.

During the recent banking crisis, both businesses and wealth management clients moved their money out of banks. Commercial deposits have since recovered, but those in wealth accounts continue to decline amid fierce competition from both inside and outside the banking system.

U.S. consumers set a new record during the second quarter, as card debt reached $1.03 trillion. Bankers say a healthy job market has allowed consumers to keep making their monthly payments, but they're also on guard about the impact of the upcoming resumption of federal student loan payments.

The Seattle bank, which has lost about two-thirds of its market value this year, is also said to be considering raising capital and selling assets.

In 18 states, consumers are not allowed to use trained debt resolution professionals to seek relief from their creditors. That needs to change.

Banks locked in funding by offering more enticing rates on certificates of deposit last quarter, but rebuilding liquidity came at a cost. Competition isn't dying down either, with a couple of credit unions floating 6% CD rates.