Paul Davis

Speaking at an industry conference Thursday, two tech executives and a community banker said that community banks should be allowed to experiment with new products without worrying about running afoul of regulators.

Better incentives to lend and invest in underserved communities are also worthy of consideration, Loretta Mester says, as regulators try to blend the best of the Community Reinvestment Act with new ideas in updating its rules.

The economy could “positively slow down in mid-2019” and consumer debt levels are a huge concern, but technology and lessons learned from the crisis could still create opportunity for small banks, says Beneficial’s Gerry Cuddy ahead of a big speech on current conditions.

Citizens & Northern will pay $43 million for the $348 million-asset Monument.

AmeriNational Community Services plans to form an industrial bank in Nevada.

Perseverance and commitment are two requirements to get more minority bankers into senior leadership positions.

The Alabama-based credit union will gain three locations, along with $138 million in loans, as part of a deal with Georgia-based Synovus Financial.

Jefferson Financial Federal Credit Union will gain three locations, along with $138 million in loans, as part of the transaction.

Fiserv will buy the business, once known as Elan ATM and Debit Processing, for $690 million.

Seven other banks passed on a chance to bid on FCB Financial, perhaps showing the small pool of large buyers eager to make a big commitment to the Sunshine State.