TCF Bank reports a first quarter loss of more than $280 million. More and larger fees are actually producing less money by driving away customers. The bank is still sizing up how many customers it's lost and which fees sent them packing. CEO Bill Cooper promises new solutions to reverse the trend.

SinglePoint allows customers to check their account balances, transfer funds, approve time-sensitive payments and view check images through their mobile device.

Web site crashes at Target.com marred opening day of the discount retailer's sales of Missoni merchandise. Customers who tried to buy items from the upscale Italian designer are finding their orders delayed or canceled. Target is working to straighten things out, but complaints in cyberspace suggest there's been long-term damage.

MPR reports about 600 people shifted $1.3 million to smaller community banks. That was just on one day. For all of last month, credit unions gained a total 11,000 customers.

The owner of a popular bakery in Minneapolis won't be cooking up a new location on St. Paul's Grand Avenue. Cupcake's Kevin Vanderaa says he's fed up after the neighborhood association's complaints about a technical issue. Vanderaa also says he received no support from elected officials.

Now that we are in the fourth year of a dismal economic recovery and more people with significant experience (of all ages) are laid off, I’m getting more requests for advice on how to become a consultant. Lemme give you some advice before you take any serious first steps into this new world...