Alan Kline

First Republic Bank in San Francisco reported flat fourth-quarter profits as strong deposit growth and gains in both interest and fee income were largely offset by higher expenses.

Commerce Bancshares in Kansas City, Mo., is delaying the release of its fourth-quarter results while external auditors complete a review of its procedures for establishing its loan-loss allowance.

It isn't just payday lenders and money-services firms that are being ditched by banks lately. Other banks are getting cut off too.

A commitment to financial literacy training can help turn unbanked, cash-strapped consumers into profitable, bankable customers.

New York's state-funded Green Bank is helping to finance solar farms and other alternative energy projects that traditional lenders aren't quite ready or willing to fund on their own. Commercial banks can get not only enhanced credit support from the Green Bank, but also help developing the expertise needed to get into this new lending niche, which is growing fast. Other states also have green banks in the works.

Stricter enforcement of the Bank Secrecy Act is straining relations between small banks and their correspondents. It’s also giving businesses axed by banks few options, as Alan Kline reports.

It isn't just payday lenders and money-services firms that are being ditched by banks lately. Community banks are getting cut off too.

James Herbert's bank is thriving by delivering top-notch service and maintaining strict underwriting standards at a time when many banks are struggling to increase revenues and undercutting each other to win loan business.

Hot topics like cybersecurity, M&A and Operation Choke Point caused a lot of debate at American Banker's annual regulatory symposium. But in just about every case, the conversation inevitably circled back to a common theme: reputation is everything. So some, including U.S. Bancorp's Richard Davis, contend playing it safe is just plain playing it smart.

First Horizon's Employee Leadership Program, championed by CEO Bryan Jordan, has been described as "life changing" by some of its graduates. It also has helped solidify First Horizon's status as one of the banking industry's most employee-friendly companies. On our list of Best Banks to Work For this year, it ranks as No. 1 among those with more than $10 billion of assets.

In nearly every category, banks reported modest to strong loan growth through the first half, as consumer spending increased and businesses moved forward with expansion plans. Though much of the loan growth since the financial crisis came from banks stealing market share from competitors, this year may well go down as the turning point when loan demand finally rebounded.

Although Congress may soon tackle whether to raise the $50 billion "systemic" threshold for banks, First Republic CEO James Herbert says the bank must still invest heavily in hiring the necessary staff to help it deal with the additional regulation from such a designation.

Buoyed by interest income growth and large gains on the sales of loans and securities, First Republic Bank in San Francisco reported a 20% increase in profits in the third quarter when compared to the same period last year.

Beth Mooney cares more about her legacy than she does about being the first female CEO at a top 20 U.S.-based bank. One of her primary goals is to make sure KeyCorp always does right by its customers.

• The 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking

Jane Fraser is getting more fearless as times goes on. This realization – inspired by her (almost) golf date with Tiger Woods – is serving her well as she takes on a slew of new responsibilities at Citigroup.

• The 25 Women to Watch

Jimmy Tallent is leading an impressive comeback at United Community Banks in Georgia. But what's even more impressive is that he got the chance.

Rilla Delorier's successor as SunTrust's chief marketing officer is not from banking, but rather is a veteran of tech firms like NCR. Meet Susan Somersille Johnson.

How First National Bank of Green Forest in Arkansas became Anstaff Bank, in a rebranding with a family twist.

The search is on to replace Rich Weaver as commissioner of the Missouri Division of Finance.

Regional banks have been adding some serious firepower to their boards lately.