Jim Dobbs

Payments activity “snapped back” in the fourth quarter and should lift revenue the next few quarters, CEO Brian Moynihan said.

Robert Kafafian says he's hearing more MOE chatter now than at any time in his decades-long career as a consultant. He cited smaller banks' need to cut costs, improve tech offerings and compete with bigger lenders.

Bank stocks have climbed because of expectations that the change of power in Washington will hasten vaccine distribution and speed the economic recovery. The boost could give executives more flexibility to pursue acquisitions or make other strategic moves.

HoldCo Asset Management wants more details about the banking company’s pending merger with SVB Financial. The shareholder's concerns center on payouts to the seller's management team and questions about the sale process.

Acquiring Boston Private could put the parent company of Silicon Valley Bank years ahead of schedule in catering to the investment needs of high-tech and biomedical clients, whose industries have thrived during the pandemic.

Chris Maher recently unloaded loans hurt by the coronavirus shock, convinced he was freeing the New Jersey company of baggage that could impede a large M&A deal. This assertive move makes him one of our community bankers to watch in 2021.

Gilles Gade, one our community bankers to watch in 2021, led an effort that made Cross River Bank one of the biggest Paycheck Protection Program participants. He is ready for his team to pick up where it left off when the new stimulus package kicks in.

While banks are reporting steady declines in deferrals, hard-hit borrowers such as airlines, commercial real estate developers and hotel operators will almost certainly struggle to regain their footing.

The Pittsburgh company also sold a portfolio of indirect auto loans and repaid a large amount of Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings.

The emergence of vaccines has boosted travel forecasts — and crude prices. The expected bump at the pump could help oil and gas companies get back on track with loan payments.

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.