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Goldman Sachs provided more details on its pullback from its once-grand ambitions to expand into consumer finance. Though parts of that strategy will remain, the New York bank will halt its personal loan business and postpone offering a checking account for its wealth management customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new state law targetingoverdraft fee practices took effect on Jan. 1 requiringstate-chartered banks to pay checks for consumer accounts inthe order they are received, or from the smallest to largestdollar amount for each business day's transactions. New York regulators are urging lenders to curb overdraftfees levied on consumer accounts as part of the stateagency's push to reform banking practices considered unfairand deceptive. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers information on the new strategy called payment orders which is implemented by New York savings banks to attract customers and woo them away from commercial banks. It mentions that one of the lures of the option is that it makes it possible for payment-order account to earn interest on funds that are needed in paying bills. It affirms that many commercial bankers became furious about the savings-bank payment order, which they call as a blatant violation of the historic distinction between savings and checking accounts.

Reports that Bank of America Corp. (BoA) has added eight percent to its deposits in Long, Island, New York, in the year following its acquisition of Fleet Bank in 2004, despite predictions by industry experts that many customers would leave following the merger as BoA tried to figure out the New York market. Number of savings accounts and checking accounts added by BoA during the period; Success that BoA has had in selling itself as an upgrade to Fleet.

The article presents updates on various events in New York for March 2012. The United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region's Young Leaders will host a networking event at Torches on the Hudson, Newburgh on March 20, 2012. Ulster Savings Bank will host its Free Checking Spectacular event between March 16-24, 2012. The Rockland Community College Foundation' special luncheon honoring Men of Distinction will be held at the Pearl River Hilton on March 30, 2012.

The article focuses on the move of Capital One Financial Corp. to offer rewards checking accounts to its holders in Long Island, New York. It cites that customers with a rewards checking account at Capital One can earn points by paying bills online using their check cards. It states that reward checking accounts are becoming increasingly popular with banks as they struggle for deposits. The different programs being used at some local institutions are discussed.

The article reports that Chase will be rewarding its checking account customers under a new program called Chase Exclusives in New York. The program provides discounts on the interest rate of all of checking-account customers' new mortgage, home-equity loan, and line of credit. It states that the Chase Exclusives program, which can be used for refinancing, also aims to expand the relationship of customers with the company.

The article announces the availability of Peekskill, New York-based Apex Merchant Solutions' eChecks service for its merchant clinetele. Allowing users to pay for their purchases through business or personal checking accounts at e-commerce sites, eChecks charges between 1.5% and 2% per transaction. Other features of the service are discussed.

The article reports on the raffle held by the Hudson Heritage Federal Credit Union in New York. The 42-inch high-definition plasma LCD television was won by James Sansone of Rock Tavern in New York. According to sources, anyone who is 18 years old and over is eligible to enter the drawing by visiting the branch. Moreover, a second chance entry is available upon opening a checking account, loan or credit card product.

The article reports that the Community Bank of Orange (CBO) NA has opened a new branch office at Mithel Corners Shopping Center in Warwick, New York. The new branch will operate as a full service bank and offer all CBO's accounts and services, including checking, savings, certificates of deposit, consumer and business loans, business baking, telephone banking and non-deposit investment and insurance products. The branch will open six days a week.

The article reports that Walden Federal has opened its fifth branch and its second one in Monroe, New York. The new branch will be managed by John P. Wells, Branch Relationship Manager for the banks's Wal Mart location. The new branch inside the Monroe Shoprite makes it even easier for residents and businesses to bank with a hometown community bank. It offers all the banking services available in the other four branches, including free personal checking and money market accounts.

The article reports that Washington Mutual (WAMU) Inc. has rolled out a new version of free checking accounts (FCA). The new FCA accounts pay up to 250 dollar a year to customers or charities o a WAMU list for every debit card transaction on a Gold Debit Master Card. John Benevento, WAMU senior VP for Long Island, New York emphasized the goal of the use of FCA. INSET: Chase in major branching push.

Reports on the move of Walden Federal to expand its services by adding a Hometown Hero checking account available to active or retired military personnel, police or firefighters in Walden, Orange County in New York.

Presents news and developments in business and finance in Long Island, New York compiled as of May 2004. Management of the checking and deposit accounts of several troop members of the New York National Guard Armory by Astoria Federal Savings Bank; Trends in corporate refinancing; Electronical filing of income taxes with the Internal Revenue Service.

Reports on developments related to banks in Long Island, New York as of April 2, 2004. Offer of checking accounts by HSBC; Example of a fraudulent request from the American Bankers Association.

A recent arrival to Westchester County, New York, Charter One Bank wants small-business owners to look to it as a place for inexpensive, less-complicated banking. They try to create that simplicity that is used in the retail side in the business environment, said Tom Amell, business banking sales manager for Charter One's eastern New York division. The bank offers a free checking account for small businesses with fewer than 1,000 transactions a month. Individuals and small businesses can also get free online banking and pay bills online for free, Amell said. The bank also strives for a "user-friendly" process for loans, closings and other bank transactions, he said.

Reports on the popularity of Internet banking in New York. Online Cash Management product of Provident Bank used by Alan Brill PC; Benefit offered by online banking to accounting departments; Use of the online product to review checking and payroll accounts, lines of credit and loans.

Reports on the launch by Lake Success, New York-based Astoria Federal Savings and Loan Association of an updated version of its Free and Easy advertising campaign to promote its Free and Easy checking service. Launching of 12-week radio, print and outdoor campaigns; Campaign details.

Reports on the introduction of the Walden ONE Account, an all inclusive daily transactional checking account, by Walden Federal of Walden, New York. Account features; Significance of the offering for the company's goal to offer banking products and services usually offered by larger commercial banks.

Reports that Bank of New York Co. Inc. has launched a checking account designed for businesses with low transaction volume and limited cash balances. Requirements and promotions for new business checking accounts.

Reports on a cash incentive being offered by J.P. Morgan Chase and Co. to New York City customers of Dime Bancorp and Washington Mutual Inc. who open interest-bearing checking accounts using their old checks. Use of variations of the promotion elsewhere in Morgan Chase's branch territory; Morgan Chase's renewed focus on consumer banking; Washington Mutual's acquisition of Dime Bancorp earlier in 2002.

This article mentions the findings of a 2015 survey conducted by the New York City Comptroller. The survey of 74 banks in New York City found, among others, that 21 banks in the city do not appear to offer or widely advertised basic checking accounts, although state law requires it, that maintenance and transaction fees, on average, cost a cumulative 73 dollars per year for low-balance customers, and that the minimum requirements for initial deposits ranged from 0 dollar to 500 dollars.

The article reports on the announcement that ICICI Bank Ltd. based in India is now issuing Visa Inc.'s check cards through its New York branch. It states that the bank provides debit cards to its Global Indian Account and other checking-account customers. It mentions that the New York branch was opened in March 2008 as part of the extension of the partnership of ICICI and Visa Inc.

Mentions several banks that used premium giveaways to customers who open new checking accounts. The freebies offered by National City Corp; Gift card tie-ins used by J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.; Check card program at U.S. Bancorp of Minneapolis; New York's Citigroup offering an Apple iPod; First Niagara Financial Group Inc. offering gas gift cards; Comments of executives Jeff Platter, Lakhbir Lamba, Michael Giaquinto and others.