Commercial Banking News, Strategy & Risk Analysis

American Banker's commercial banking coverage explores how banks serve middle-market and corporate clients, focusing on issues such as interest-rate volatility, regulatory pressure, and intensifying competition for deposits and credit relationships. This section focuses on balance-sheet strategy, commercial lending, treasury and cash management, risk governance, and the technologies reshaping relationship banking.

Learn how institutions are recalibrating growth expectations, managing credit exposure, and using payments and treasury capabilities to deepen client relationships while preserving profitability.

Commercial banking is under structural pressure from higher funding costs, uneven loan demand, and increased supervisory scrutiny. Banks are being forced to prioritize relationship depth, disciplined credit selection, and non-interest income generation rather than balance-sheet expansion alone.

Liquidity

Bankers on high alert for liquidity risk as 3Q draws to close

A slight decline in core deposits in the second quarter stoked worries that tighter liquidity is around the corner. Bankers are exploring responses beyond the typical CD rate special if third-quarter results show the trend is continuing.

By Andy Peters

September 22
Payment fees

Fifth Third partners with casino payments company

The Cincinnati bank says its investment unit is taking an equity stake in NRT Sightline to provide a wide range of banking and payments services to casino operators.

By Bryan Yurcan

September 20
Risk management

Umpqua hires first chief risk officer

The Oregon bank has expanded the role of its chief credit officer to include oversight of risk management.

By Andy Peters

September 20
Expense management

Crisis averted, Comerica now faces questions on growth, succession

The Dallas company has extinguished talk of a potential sale after aggressively cutting costs over the past year. But concerns about its future — including its ability to find new sources of revenue — remain.

By Kristin Broughton

September 18
Digital banking

Bank webinars prove to be a marketing hit

Wells Fargo, PNC and others are finding that the web seminar is an effective way to promote themselves through advice and useful content aimed at consumers and business clients.

By Bryan Yurcan

September 18
M&A

Fifth Third to buy third nonbank this year

The Cincinnati company has agreed to acquire Epic Insurance Solutions in Louisville, Ky., as it continues to build out its fee-based lines of business.

By Kristin Broughton

September 15
Investments

Dutch State sells stake of about $1.8 billion in ABN Amro

The Dutch government sold a third stake in ABN Amro Group NV, taking advantage of a rally in the shares of the nationalized lender.

September 15

Resources

The latest American Banker research and discussion on Commercial Banking

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Commercial Banking: Key Questions & Analysis

How are banks repositioning middle-market commercial banking in growth markets?

Banks are selectively expanding into high-growth regions as well as refining relationship coverage models for middle-market clients. Where competitive pressure is highest and regional-bank presence is high, institutions often look to industry specialization and treasury-led engagement to set themselves apart.

What is driving commercial clients’ treasury expectations, and how are banks responding?

Treasury management and payments capabilities are increasingly central to commercial client retention. Banks can look to grow in areas like automation, integration with client systems, and advisory services to respond to changing expectations.

How do banks apply AI in commercial and business banking workflows?

AI applications are often focused on boosting internal efficiency. This can include customer service support to better handle client inquiries and improve relationship management enablement. Banks are prioritizing staff-facing use cases, such as AI assistants, over customer-facing solutions for now.

What do recent earnings signals imply for commercial banking credit posture?

Improved profitability can be driven by lower provisions and stronger margins has eased short-term pressure. However, credit risk remains a focus. Banks are balancing cautious underwriting with growth opportunities.

How is commercial real estate risk intersecting with broader commercial banking exposure?

Commercial real estate continues to be a key risk. Bankers are scrutinizing real estate portfolios concentrated in offices and other property types for stress. Banks are differentiating between stabilized assets and segments facing refinancing and valuation pressure.

How could changes to deposit insurance policy affect commercial operating accounts?

Proposals to expand deposit insurance coverage for business accounts could influence how commercial clients allocate operating balances. Banks will look to monitor potential impacts on pricing, retention, and relationship structure.