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.

Wells Fargo

Why investors seem giddy about once-troubled Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf validates some of the optimism, telling analysts he feels "really great about our progress." But he said executives "don't want to get ahead of ourselves."

By Polo Rocha
Staff Writer

January 15
Earnings

JPMorgan posts record profit; succession plan undetermined

The $4 trillion-asset bank posted its highest-ever annual profit but also said its CEO succession plan is still in the works.

By Catherine Leffert
Reporter

January 15
Succession planning

JPMorgan's first female COO doesn't want Dimon's job

The largest U.S. bank by assets has elevated Jennifer Piepszak to chief operating officer, in preparation for Daniel Pinto's retirement in 2026. But Piepszak is not interested in being CEO, the company said.

By Allissa Kline
Reporter

January 14
Banking

20 banks and thrifts with the most assets

The top five banks and thrifts had combined assets of more than $13 trillion as of Sept. 30.

By Editorial Staff

January 14
Truist Financial

Truist's COO, who oversaw strategy revamp, resigns

Beau Cummins, a longtime Truist executive, stepped into the chief operating officer role in 2023 to help reposition it after years of lagging performance. The bank says he won't be replaced.

By Polo Rocha and Allissa Kline

January 13
Investment banking

FDIC grants BlackRock extension to strike deal on bank control

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. granted nonbank investment firm BlackRock an extra month to come to an agreement with the agency over its substantial stakes in certain FDIC-regulated firms, a matter that Republicans and Democrats have both expressed concern about.

By Ebrima Santos Sanneh
Reporter

January 13
M&A

Fed approves merger deal involving Missouri's biggest bank

The Federal Reserve Board on Friday approved UMB Financial's pending $2 billion acquisition of Heartland Financial.

By Kyle Campbell and Allissa Kline

January 10

Resources

The latest American Banker research and discussion on Commercial Banking

M&T Bank

Industry News

Leaders

Consumer banking

Commercial banking

Small business banking
Regional banks in today's economy: M&T CEO Rene Jones
On-Demand Web Seminar Built to compete: How commercial banks will win in 2026

Commercial banking is reaching a tipping point. Are you prepared to lead in 2026?

Partner Insights from Alkami
Investment banking

2025 Most Powerful Women in Finance

M&A

Leaders

JPMorgan Chase

Women in Banking
Video Video A top investment banker's views on M&A, the markets, and making it in financial services

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.