Friday, September 30, 2016 | as of 2:49 AM ET

Dealmaking & Strategy

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Ex-Banker's Crowdfunding Firm Finds Its Missing Link: A Bank

Kim Kaselionis saw a lot of small-business-loan applications die on her desk when she was a bank chief, so she started a crowdfunding firm to nurse along startups till they were bankable. That's where Fresno First comes in.

Community Banking

Breaking News

Scottrade Said to Explore Sale; Bank Unit Adds Wrinkle 03:37PM ET

M&A, Loan Growth on Revere Bank's Agenda After Debt Offering 02:08PM ET

Granite Bank Acquires New Hampshire Lender 11:35AM ET

Riverview in Wash. to Buy Former Pot Lender 09:53AM ET

First Internet Raises Another $25M to Support Rapid Growth 03:30PM ET

A 'Road Map' Around Rate Risks, Courtesy of the Chicago Fed Chief 01:47PM ET

IBM Shakes Up AI Race for Banking by Buying Promontory

IBM will purchase Promontory Financial Group — a consultancy so influential it has been dubbed the industry's "shadow regulator" — in a move that could extend artificial intelligence into every aspect of banking.
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Law & Regulation

Bank Technology

Don't Be Afraid to Walk Away, and Other Good M&A Advice

Bankers can bolster investor confidence by showing they are taking a disciplined approach to M&A. That involves thorough due diligence, strong rationales for deals and the ability to step away from the table.

Community Banking

National/Regional

Wells Fargo Succession Plan in Question as Scandal Drags On

The Wells Fargo cross-selling controversy has raised questions about its well-telegraphed succession plan. Tim Sloan, the company's president, has been the heir apparent, but his longtime association with Wells could be a problem if investors or regulators push for an outsider to overhaul the corporate culture.

Consumer Finance

Law & Regulation

Rural-Urban Divide May Be Banking's Biggest Problem

Technology? Bankers can keep up. New regulations? We've got people to handle that. But how to account for the flight of customers, prospective employees and economic opportunities from rural areas is perhaps the biggest challenge facing community lenders and policymakers, warns a longtime Oklahoma banker.

National/Regional

Community Banking

Armed with IPO Cash, Mass. Thrift Seeks Digital Revamp

Randolph Bancorp raised $57 million in a mutual-to-stock conversion and is using the proceeds to both fund acquisitions — it closed its first-ever deal in July — and dramatically improve its digital capabilities.

Community Banking

Bank Technology

PL Capital Escalates Rhetoric Against Banc of California, CEO Sugarman

The activist investor is irate that the company's board will not meet to discuss concerns it has over executive compensation and corporate governance.

Community Banking

Wells Scandal Renews Calls to Split Up CEO and Chairman Roles

An independent chairman could uncover or minimize damage from fraud while also meting out punishment more impartially after the fact. The longtime corporate governance argument has new legs in light of the account scam at Wells Fargo, whose board is led by CEO John Stumpf.

Law & Regulation

Consumer Finance

Bankers Temper Their Outlooks on Loan Growth Ever So Slightly

Bankers generally expect loan demand to increase over the next year, but global shocks, domestic politics and regional economic variations may be prompting them to prepare for slightly slower growth than before.

Community Banking

Add CRE Worries to List of Bank M&A Impediments

Banks that are heavily involved in commercial real estate lending may shy away from buying institutions with similar concentrations.

Community Banking

National/Regional

This Bank Is Cutting Jobs But Won't Say How Many

The Bancorp is keeping its cards close to its vest when it comes to job cuts it made last week. The move is leaving analysts guessing as to exactly how many people — and what types of positions — were cut.

Community Banking