Polo Rocha is a Mexico-based freelance reporter who worked at American Banker from 2021 to early 2025, covering consumer finance and national banking trends. He previously covered the Federal Reserve at S&P Global Market Intelligence and state politics at WisPolitics.com. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has a master's in finance degree from Johns Hopkins University.
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Elizabeth Warren asked the Federal Reserve this week to force the spinoff of the bank’s nonbanking operations. Wells, which was recently hit with another $250 million fine, countered that it has made significant progress in improving its risk management and addressing misconduct.
By Polo RochaSeptember 14 -
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency slammed the scandal-plagued bank for violating a 2018 consent order and for problems with loss mitigation practices in its home lending division. The bank will also be restricted from acquiring certain residential mortgage servicing rights.
By Polo RochaSeptember 9 -
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated income inequality in America, and that has implications for banks and other lenders. Among those suffering most: renters, front-line workers and minority small-business owners.
August 23 -
Many banks reported sharp declines in income from home loans during the second quarter. The large gains they enjoyed last year thanks to a surge in refinancing activity are unlikely to return, according to bankers and analysts.
By Polo RochaAugust 4 -
The bank's noninterest expenses fell by 8% in the second quarter — a sign that CEO Charlie Scharf is making progress in reining in spending that had been soaring in recent years amid heightened regulatory scrutiny. He ultimately hopes to reduce gross expenditures by $8 billion annually.
By Polo RochaJuly 14 -
Only 0.9% of mortgage borrowers are currently at least 90 days delinquent. That figure could rise as high as 3.8% once pandemic-related deferrals lapse — still well below the 6% mark reached after the Great Recession, according to research by the New York Fed.
By Polo RochaMay 19 -
The nation’s largest mortgage lender plans to use a new partnership with the financial technology company AutoFi to sell more cars to its home loan customers.
By Polo RochaMay 5







