Jim Dobbs

The company hired two Atlantic Union bankers to run its bank and begin recruiting customers in and around Washington.

The company agreed to acquire a Colorado plan provider that operates as RPS Plan Administration and 24HourFlex.

First Horizon, TCF and Webster are among the banks eyeing efficiency initiatives that could include more branch closings, layoffs and reduction of office space. Expect others to follow suit as low rates and tepid loan demand tied to the pandemic pressure revenue.

Hospitality sector credits are coming out of forbearance just as coronavirus cases surge. Restructurings and charge-offs could mount unless vaccine distribution happens quickly enough to jump-start travel by mid-2021.

The Virginia company, which shuttered 14 locations in September, will close another five branches early next year.

The Pittsburgh company is using its BlackRock windfall to execute a familiar script: buy an underperforming bank, cut costs and strengthen ties with commercial clients.

Lending opportunities have become scarce, especially with commercial borrowers, and banks are resisting the temptation to relax standards to boost volume.

Many small banks are reactivating repurchase programs, signaling that capital levels remain strong and credit issues are under control.

The region now leads the nation in virus cases, and with winter lurking the fear is that the outbreak will only get worse.

A prosperous decade leading up to the pandemic had left lenders in good shape, but they're worried the economic shock to the state's most vital industry could linger into 2022.