Alan Kline

Income volatility is a persistent problem for millions of U.S. households. Banks and fintech companies are trying to help consumers cope — but the industry can do more.

Working primarily with community banks, Promontory Local Credit will provide second-lien loans to small firms, potentially increasing their available credit by 50%.

The Columbus, Ga., company also announced late Monday that it is buying the credit card assets and brokered deposits of the retailer Cabela's and will then sell the card portfolio to Capital One.

Record loan originations and the continued accumulation of wealth management assets added up to 12% earnings growth at the San Francisco bank.

Creative growth strategies are helping banks with $10B to $50B of assets — including Webster and TCF — improve profitability. These ‘tweeners’ deal with tougher regulations than smaller competitors without the scale larger ones have to absorb the expense.

Bankers and housing advocates say many low-income housing projects simply won't get built if the White House and Congress move to eliminate two federal block grant programs.

Better access to credit, an improving revenue picture and promises of regulatory relief are bolstering the confidence of small-business owners.

The Pittsburgh company is acquiring the U.S.-based commercial and vendor-finance operations of ECN Capital.

The Wayne, N.J., company posted double-digit gains in interest and nontinterest income.

Total loans increased nearly 17% to $19.4 billion as the company’s three main business units each added more than $100 million of new loans year over year.

The Honolulu company plans to sell off more shares still owned by BNP Paribas and BancWest.

On earnings calls this week CEOs expressed optimism for increased loan demand, a softer tone from regulators, a higher SIFI threshold and, potentially, a surge of interest in health savings accounts.

Strong growth in commercial and CRE lending also led record to interest income in the quarter.

A 9% increase in interest revenue helped to offset relatively flat growth in fee revenue.

Three midsize banks projected increases in loans this year in the latest round of earnings discussions, but their levels of optimism varied, and their commercial lending strategies in some cases conflicted.

Improved credit quality also helped compensate for flat loan growth at the Dallas bank.

JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and PNC reported lackluster revenue growth as higher trading fees and increases in commercial lending barely compensated for consumer-side challenges.

Joint accounts sometimes seem stuck in another era. Here’'s how to modernize them.

Regions Financial in Birmingham has named José S. Suquet, the president and CEO at Pan-American Life Insurance in New Orleans, to its board of directors.

Ray Davis is stepping down as Umpqua's CEO at yearend and transitioning to a new role as head of its year-old innovation lab. In his 22 years, he built Umpqua from a sleepy local bank into a regional powerhouse and internationally recognized brand.