For Washington policymakers, the prospect of a grinding, slow-motion legal fight between Citigroup (C) and Wells Fargo (WFC) for the spoils of troubled Wachovia (WB) is clearly unnerving. In a period when the markets seem to come more unhinged with ... [full story]

As Wall Street investment banks try to assess the chances of a $700 billion government bailout, local investment banks like Morgan Keegan are waiting for the market to finally stabilize. Gage Logan III, managing director for the Nashville branch of the ... [full story]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - John Thain, the Merrill Lynch & Co Inc chief executive who engineered the firm's sale to Bank of America Corp, will head investment banking, securities and wealth management at the new company -- at least for ... [full story]

Washington Mutual Inc was closed by the U.S. government in by far the largest failure of a U.S. bank, and its banking assets were sold to JPMorgan Chase & Co for $1.9 billion. Thursday's seizure and sale is the latest historic ... [full story]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The FBI is investigating four major U.S. financial institutions whose collapse helped trigger a $700 billion bailout plan by the Bush administration, The Associated Press has learned. Two law enforcement officials said Tuesday the FBI is looking at ... [full story]

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- On the eve of the first public discussion between lawmakers and the administration about the Treasury's $700 billion financial rescue proposal, the debate is being framed by a few key issues. Lawmakers from both parties, while acknowledging ... [full story]

SAN FRANCISCO -- Whether you have insurance policies through AIG or another company, the events of last week should serve as a red flag about the safety of your annuities and life insurance policies in these volatile economic times. Keep in ... [full story]

Wells Fargo Chairman Dick Kovacevich says the battered banking industry is rife with buyout opportunities. The San Francisco banker has a long-standing reputation as a disciplined buyer who often sits on the sidelines when banks are selling at robust prices. But ... [full story]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Over 700 payday lenders across the state of Arizona charge up to 459 percent annual interest on loans that trap their customers in long-term debt, finds a new report from the Center for Responsible Lending. ... [full story]

There used to be five stand-alone bulge bracket investment banks on Wall Street. Now there are two. Bear Stearns was merged out of existence. Merrill Lynch is folding its tents in with Bank of America. Lehman Brothers is filing for Chapter ... [full story]