Consumer lending

Barclays is trying to draw a line at $2 billion in penalties to settle a U.S. investigation into its sale of mortgage securities after it received an opening offer that it considered too high.

Higher mortgage banking revenue and commercial real estate lending offset merger costs at United Community Banks in Blairsville, Ga., leading to an improvement in third-quarter profit.

Flagstar Bancorp's quarterly profit increased after a decline in the value of a 2012 legal settlement liability tied to its mortgage lending practices.

Heartland Financial USA in Dubuque, Iowa, has named Jack Lloyd president of its residential mortgage business.

The acquisition of Middleburg Financial would create a nearly $2.5 billion-asset bank in northern Virginia with strong mortgage originations and a growing wealth management business. It would provide an endgame for Middleburg while also making Access more appealing to potential buyers.

Ellie Mae has launched the Encompass Lending Platform, allowing customers to integrate external systems and data, and build custom applications in the cloud.

Bank of Hawaii expanded lending for residential mortgages and commercial real estate, boosting its third-quarter profit.

WestStar Bank in El Paso, Texas, has acquired assets from Cimarron Mortgage Capital.

Moody's Corp. said federal officials are planning a lawsuit over its ratings of residential mortgage securities that critics contend were inflated to win business in the years leading up to the 2008 financial crisis.

Profit fell at SunTrust Banks during the third quarter because of higher costs for technology and deposit insurance premiums, as well as an unfavorable yearly comparison.

A simple rhyme reminds one loan officer in a bustling California housing market to stay focused, committed and to treat every loan equally.

Record deposit growth, improved expense management and strong revenue gains from mortgage banking boosted Umpqua Holdings' profits in the third quarter.

Profit improved at M&T Bank in the third quarter as the Buffalo, N.Y., company expanded commercial and mortgage lending and completed the sale of a large investment-securities portfolio.

Regions Financial reported a higher third-quarter profit, citing improved fee income from mortgage lending, capital markets and credit and debit cards.

While compliance costs continue to increase for lenders, the rising age of company owners is what's prompting many independent mortgage bankers to sell their companies.

A desire to own their own businesses led many loan officers to become mortgage brokers during the industry's growth period. As brokering regains its footing, that entrepreneurial spirit is making a comeback.

Bank of America's first-mortgage originations increased 23% over the third quarter of 2015, as rates remained near record lows throughout the summer.

A leader who surrounds herself with diverse thought and talent, Nikki Groff of Wallick & Volk Mortgage Bankers, formed a team that helped propel her to Top Producer status from a small Arizona town.

Wells Fargo & Co., the lender whose chief executive officer stepped down this week amid a scandal in its branch network, posted a third-quarter profit that beat analysts' estimates as loan-loss provisions improved and revenue from mortgage banking increased.

Franklin Codel, Wells Fargo's head of mortgage, will now oversee all consumer lending as part of a management shakeup that comes amid the bank's fake account scandal.