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.

Compensation

Big bank CEOs got the highest pay raises in 2025

While bank CEO pay increased across asset sizes last year, the CEOs of the nation's largest banks received the biggest boosts in total direct compensation, according to a study.

By Allissa Kline
Reporter

June 4
Economic indicators

U.S., European banks diverged on Iran war's impact in Q1

Globally, the war had varying impacts on banks' first-quarter provisions, according to a new report. U.S. banks reported limited reserve-building in response to the conflict.

By Allissa Kline
Reporter

June 2
Commercial lending

Why U.S. Bank is targeting vets, dentists opening new practices

The Minneapolis-based bank is offering loans to providers planning to build practices from scratch — a reversal after years of serving only existing practices.

By John Reosti
Reporter

May 29
Earnings

BMO says it's finished reconfiguration of U.S. segment

The Canadian lender's U.S. plan involved selling branches and jettisoning certain noncore relationship loan portfolios. BMO is now positioned to achieve its stateside return on equity target, CEO Darryl White said.

By Allissa Kline
Reporter

May 27
M&A

Webster Investors Approve $12 Billion Purchase by Santander

Spain's largest lender is looking to buy Webster as part of an effort by Executive Chair Ana Botin to expand in the U.S.

May 27
M&A

The largest bank M&A deals are now the fastest to close

The average number of days it takes for large bank M&A deals to close has drastically shrunk from the past two years, according to a new report.

By Allissa Kline and Kevin Wack

May 27
Berkshire Hathaway

Will Berkshire stay in bank stocks after Buffett's exit?

Berkshire Hathaway's banking-related investment strategy is murky, after the arrival of new leadership and the sale of its stakes in Visa and Mastercard.

By Kevin Wack
Banking Editor

May 25

Resources

The latest American Banker research and discussion on Commercial Banking

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.