The Wall Street giant's acquisition of the app maker Clarity Money is only one part of a long-term strategy to build a digital retail bank from the ground up.

As upstart companies mature, they face pressure to develop deeper relationships with their customers. That is leading some to offer to a wider range of products, including deposit accounts.

Upgrade's new product, unveiled Tuesday, is aimed at consumers who are expecting a big expense but may not need to borrow all the money at once. Unlike a home equity line of credit, the loan can be approved in minutes because there is no need for collateral or an appraisal process.

The agency’s acting director uses a reply letter to the senator not to answer her questions but to underscore that Congress lacks the ability to compel answers to such questions.

Even as many venture capitalists retreat from the online lending industry, Upstart Network is hoping to find investors still willing to bet on the business.

Fifth Third and First Republic are among the investors in the company’s $50 million equity round.

As the agency pulls back its enforcement efforts, it opens the door for state authorities to pursue more cases against financial startups for their data collection and privacy practices.

Many workers in the technology departments across a range of industries describe behavior that may fall short of a legal definition of sexual harassment, but is still disturbing and could contribute to low employee morale and high turnover.

The online lender is taking a stand against businesses that sell assault weapons or that sell any type of firearms to people under 21.

The online small-business lender is enjoying a payoff from its year-old push to cut costs and tighten underwriting standards. It is also set to announce another lending agreement with a major bank this year, its CEO said Tuesday.