financial institutions

Investors have generally taken a negative position on big banks lately: Major financial institutions face a host of issues that are punishing their bottom lines. However, some of Wall Street's most carefully watched investors -- short sellers -- are withdrawing their bets against them.

Americans' overall trust in the nation's financial system has dropped from 26% to 20%, a level that matches the lows recorded during the heart of the financial crisis in late 2008, according to the latest results from the Chicago Booth/Kellogg School Financial Trust Index.

The Federal Reserve on Thursday proposed a new rule that would dramatically cut the swipe fees that banks charge merchants when customers use debit cards. The move, which stems from a provision in the financial overhaul bill in July, could benefit stores. But banks say it could harm consumers.

President Obama is set to unveil this week a plan for the most sweeping reorganization of financial-market supervision since the 1930s. Initially, consolidation was the theme of this makeover, but turf wars ended most of that initiative and when the dust settles we're likely to end up with the same...

Yes, he can and yes, he should. There is no doubt in my mind that people go to Wall Street for the money. They learn the rules of the game and they play hard to get the most money in the shortest time. As Wall Street pay has grown -- the average Wall Street bonus climbed 19-fold from about $10,000...

The results of the buzzworthy Bank Stress Test, released Thursday at 5 p.m. Eastern, say 10 out of the 19 biggest U.S. financial institutions need a combined $75 billion to stay afloat through the financial downturn. My bank, Bank of America, was found to need the most cash -- almost $40 billion....