Laura Alix

What if you have workplace flexibility policies and women, afraid to be seen as less committed than male peers, don't use them? Take a lesson from BMO Financial.

The way Charlotte McLaughlin sees it, grit is a little like exercise: You only get stronger with practice.

When the Birmingham, Ala., bank was rethinking its branch strategy, it had to reconsider the role of its tellers. Ultimately, it decided to transition those workers to a more general banker role that emphasizes meaningful conversations with customers and continuous career progression.

The French banking giant said Tuesday that it had signed a pledge that guarantees paid parental leave, insurance and the right to unionize to all of its 200,000 employees worldwide.

The $506 million-asset GFA Federal Credit Union says it will begin accepting clients in the recreational marijuana business, making it the first Massachusetts financial institution to do so.

As the Cincinnati bank seeks to regroup after the fatal shootings at its headquarters, the incident underscores the need for preparedness at banks and credit unions of all sizes, workplace safety experts say.

“Who’s to know when the economy may turn?” the head of the Alabama bank said in describing its weak business-loan growth as the byproduct of cautious pricing and underwriting.

Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank has transformed its summer intern program so that it is more structured and attracts students who could see themselves staying in the industry.

Some are relying on a national, digital strategy. Others say the right balance of costs and growth comes from more traditional means such as targeted branch openings and out-of-market expansion.

Luis Calderon, a finance manager in the commercial bank, was killed, and Whitney Austin, a digital lending product manager, was wounded. Four people died, including the gunman, and at least two were injured.