Obama's pick for consumer agency doesn't end controversy

In nominating former Ohio Atty. Gen. Richard Cordray to head the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, President Obama avoided the...

Royal Bank of Scotland is sued by federal regulators over credit union losses

Federal regulators are seeking $629 million in damages from a Royal Bank of Scotland unit accused of selling riskier-than-advertised...

Obama picks Richard Cordray to head Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

President Obama will nominate former Ohio Atty. Gen. Richard Cordray to head the new agency to protect consumers in the financial...

Litigation gauges banks' ability to cut home-equity credit lines

Picture this nightmare financial scenario: You've taken out a $150,000 home-equity credit line to remodel your house, you've already...

Tech entrepreneur Kevin Systrom is focused on photography

The gig: At 27, Kevin Systrom is chief executive of Instagram, a Silicon Valley start-up that attracted more than 5 million users...

Investing: Home Depot's returns rely on customers, efficiency

Question: I am a customer and shareholder in Home Depot Inc. Despite the economy, are there good prospects ahead?

Gay and straight couples should pay equal domestic-partnership fees

Mara Schmid and her partner have been together for about two years. With same-sex marriage still up in the air in California, the couple...

Retail sales up slightly in June after May drop

Consumers spent more on cars and in big chain stores in June, but falling gas prices held back retail sales.

Ripping off needy seniors through the 'chained CPI'

Of all the ways policymakers in Washington show they have absolutely no conception of how their tinkerings with the federal budget affect...

Amazon sales tax battle centers on jobs

A looming California electoral battle pitting powerful Internet retailer Amazon.com against the nation's largest chain stores is expected to...

Retailers rush to offer women stylish fitness apparel

With women willing to spend $100 on a pair of cute yoga pants, retailers are racing to make workout clothes that are as much about style...

Amazon aims to have voters decide on sales-tax law

Escalating its fight to thwart a new levy on Internet purchases, Amazon.com says it will ask California voters to overturn a state law...

Bank of America's handling of blunder is troubling

Mistakes happen. It's how a business responds to those mistakes that defines its commitment to customer service.

Health officials ease requirements for states' insurance exchanges

The Obama administration moved Monday to ease some requirements on states to help them set up new insurance exchanges in 2014, a key feature...

Interest in stock investing has fallen, Google shows

Individual investors have grown disenchanted with stocks. Want proof? Google it.

Don't wait to start saving for retirement

Dear Liz: I am 25 and work part time while I finish my bachelor's degree. Most of my family thinks the amount I could contribute to a...

Efrem Harkham oversees a world of hotels

The gig: Efrem Harkham, 55, is the founder and chairman of Luxe Hotels, a Los Angeles company that owns two local hotels and Luxe...

How to raise credit scores: Five tips

The higher your credit scores, the better shot you have of getting a loan or credit card application approved. Improving your credit...

Insurance cheaters call their luxury cars farm vehicles

Meet the newest crop of farm vehicles: Porsche Carrera, Mercedes SL550 and BMW Z4.

Hung up on sky-high pay phone rates

In this hyper-connected age of cellphones and iPads, few of us have to use pay phones anymore. But it still happens, especially when you'...