Allissa Kline is a Buffalo, New York-based reporter who writes about national and regional banks and commercial and retail banking trends. She joined American Banker in 2020 and previously worked for more than a decade at Buffalo Business First, where she covered banking and finance, insurance and accounting. Kline started her journalism career at the Observer-Dispatch in Utica, New York. She graduated from Colgate University and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
-
The Providence, Rhode Island-based bank is analyzing its 14-state branch network and plans to unveil details of a branch optimization plan by midyear, executives said.
April 16 -
The topic of AI implementation came up on several big banks' first-quarter earnings calls. Morgan Stanley CEO Ted Pick said Wednesday that the firm views AI as a friend.
By Allissa Kline and Nathan PlaceApril 15 -
The investment bank reported a surge in net revenues for the first quarter, aided by robust client activity in investment banking and wealth management.
April 15 -
During the bank's first-quarter earnings call, Jane Fraser dismissed a recent report that Citi is entertaining the idea of buying a large U.S. regional bank.
April 14 -
Santander U.S. and Webster Financial are doing integration work in advance of their pending merger, including naming business-line leaders, the banks said in separate notes.
April 7 -
The investment bank is the target of a campaign by Color of Change, a racial-justice advocacy group that's accusing Goldman of retreating from its diversity commitments.
April 7 -
American Banker is accepting applications for the Best Banks to Work For program. The annual ranking, which is now in its 14th year, is a showcase of banks that prioritize strong employee engagement, a positive corporate culture and plenty of employee support.
March 31 -
The Canadian bank laid out its rationale Thursday for opening new branches in California. The objective is to increase density in the Golden State, and subsequently achieve greater market share and higher returns.
March 26 -
The Salt Lake City-based regional bank plans to grow its multifamily lending business by acquiring the agency lending business of a commercial real estate investment group. If the deal is approved, Zions would join a short list of banks that can underwrite and close multifamily loans on behalf of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
March 25 -
Royal Bank of Canada is rolling out AI across its businesses in an effort to become more efficient and generate more revenues. The Toronto-based bank recently created an internal AI accelerator that directly reports to CEO Dave McKay.
March 19 -
Three years after acquiring Bank of the West, BMO is preparing to open 130 branches in the Golden State, where it thinks it can achieve density and critical mass. The Toronto-based bank also plans to open 15 branches in Arizona.
March 17 -
The Alabama-based regional bank plans to open 135 to 150 branches over the next five years, while closing the same number. Regions' decision to accelerate its timeline by two years comes as large and regional banks try to capture more market share in the Southeast.
March 16 -
Billy Beale, who was hired to clean up Virginia-based Blue Ridge Bankshares after its failed foray with fintechs, has left the $2.4 billion-asset company. His successor is Harry Golliday, who was named interim CEO.
March 13 -
A New York state bill would reduce the barrier for minority-bank and community-bank participation in the state's long-standing Banking Development District program.
March 12 -
At an industry conference Tuesday, bankers said that an extended war with Iran will result in adverse economic conditions, including inflation.
March 10 -
Chief economists at large and regional banks predicted ongoing inflation, in part because of the anticipated surge in oil prices as a result of the Iran war. The forecast from the American Bankers Association's Economic Advisory Committee did not account for the disappointing U.S. jobs report on Friday.
March 6 -
Banco Santander's bid to buy U.S. regional bank Webster Financial could face surprise challenges following a dustup between President Trump and Spain's leaders over the war in Iran.
March 4 -
Brady, Key's chief information officer since 2012, resigned Monday due to "personal health considerations," the Cleveland-based bank said in a securities filing. Chief Financial Officer Clark Khayat will assume her duties.
March 2 -
Charles "Chuck" Parcher will replace Dennis Shaffer as president and CEO of the Sandusky, Ohio-based community bank. Shaffer is set to retire in late August.
March 2 -
The financial advisory firm initially sought an industrial loan charter back in 2020. It's the third company to receive the necessary approvals this year, joining General Motors and Ford.
February 27



















