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Small banks appeared to notch a big win with the exemption from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's overdraft proposal. But some experts are questioning the CFPB's rationale, given research that shows small banks' overreliance on overdraft revenue.

The credit card issuer said it's "cautiously optimistic" about its borrowers' financial health, with charge-offs expected to rise not much further than pre-pandemic levels. The upbeat outlook contrasts with a key competitor's guidance of significantly higher losses.

The digital financial services firm announced layoffs Tuesday, with the goal of keeping the company steady until conditions improve for its business users.

The Salt Lake City bank says that it doesn't expect major losses, even though its problem loans grew at the end of 2023.

The Tennessee-based bank was forced to keep operating on its own after a proposed acquisition was called off. Months later, First Horizon has picked up new customers and improved its profitability, but investors remain cautious amid plans for catch-up spending on technology.

Several regional banks have projected minimal growth or even a decline in lending this year. But Connecticut-based Webster is bullish based on its pipeline of nonoffice commercial real estate, public finance and other credits, CEO John Ciulla says.

Banking regulators' push for higher capital for the largest banks may very well pass in some form, but before it does, there needs to be an articulated plan for tackling the migration of banking activities out of the banking system.

ModernFi, which helps banks source or offload deposits in reciprocal or one-way arrangements, recently raised a Series A with participation from Huntington Bancshares, First Horizon Corp. and Regions Financial.

The Indiana bank is "on offense by continuing to invest in new client-facing and key support talent and being ready and opportunistic for acquisitions," CEO Jim Ryan says.

The CFPB is well within its authority to make these changes, which will increase the availability of credit to many Americans.