The sore point of credit unions buying banks; Andy Sieg's return to Citi; new CFPB small-business rule

?The polarizing question of credit unions buying banks : Since 2011, and in ever-growing volume, credit unions have been buying community banks. Some see it as the free market at work while bankers say this is another example of credit unions' unfair advantage.

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Can real-time payments reach smaller countries? The quest to make instant settlement ubiquitous in all countries requires scale and connectivity, creating opportunities for intermediaries that can handle the last mile.

This bank hired a hotel consultant to attract wealthy clients : Peapack-Gladstone Financial CEO Doug Kennedy is betting that giving his workforce the same hospitality training hotel employees receive will lead to better customer service and a healthier bottom line.

Andy Sieg out at Merrill, returns to Citi : In a sudden shift, Merrill's leader of the past six years is heading back to rival Citi, where he will be head of global wealth and drive its expansion.

CFPB finalizes data-reporting rule for small-business lenders : The regulation — mandated more than a decade ago to combat discrimination — will make lenders provide data on approvals and denials of small-business loan applications, the cost of credit and demographics of borrowers.