Lending

After the rapid rise of interest rates, election uncertainty and tariff policies stymied borrower demand, some banks' second-quarter results suggest that loan growth may be on its way back.

The Pittsburgh-based bank's average loans increased 2% from the prior quarter, its largest jump since the end of 2022.

In a surprise settlement, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered the Texas lender to pay a penalty and compensate for overcharging service members on more than 45,000 loans.

A federal judge in Texas dismissed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's medical debt rule and prohibited states from passing their own laws prohibiting medical debt on credit reports.

Historically high interest rates and falling late-payment rates suggest that credit card issuers are tightening their underwriting standards amid economic uncertainty.

Seven of the 20 top-performing banks with $2 billion to $10 billion of assets last year were based in Texas. But it's not about being bigger.

The move their regulator Bill Pulte announced introduces competition for one metric but charges from three credit bureaus will remain in place.

Federal grants funding nonprofits that help people build strong credit are being slashed. The result will be more foreclosures, evictions, bankruptcies and out-of-business signs at small businesses across the country.

Congress is considering major changes to federally supported student loan programs. If lawmakers aren't careful, they could close off a vital pipeline of talent that feeds vital public systems.