From the beginning, banks have held a unique role in the U.S. financial system. But in the recent decades, deregulation and technological innovation have dramatically changed the banking industry.

Each month, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City gauges changes in production, orders and inventories from around the Tenth District, using a step-by-step process to poll manufacturers.

One lunch tab cost Jason Snyder more than $10,000 after information from the personal check he wrote was used to steal his identity. There are easy ways to reduce fraud.