Commercial lending

Morgan Stanley was also among 43 banks worldwide to sign on as initial members of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance. Convened by the United Nations, the group has pledged to help clients in carbon-intensive industries — including transportation, mining and agriculture — reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

The Tennessee company says it has been pitching specialty finance products inherited from Iberiabank to its own clients.

Oil and gas companies — flush with cash from rising oil prices — are catching up on debt payments and will seek new credit later in the year as the economy recovers, the Oklahoma company says.

The legislation, led by Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., would qualify many farmers, ranchers and self-employed Americans for more Paycheck Protection Program funds.

The Cleveland company had a strong quarter for investment banking as midsize companies raised capital to fund growth initiatives. Executives expressed confidence that such activity will translate into more loans over the second half of 2021.

The Connecticut company has struggled to put deposits from its health savings account business to work across the Northeast. Buying Sterling Bancorp for $5 billion will provide Webster with new opportunities in a number of business lines, including asset-based lending and equipment finance.

Funds affiliated with HPS Investment Partners plan to buy Marlin Business Services for $282 million.

The Maryland company recently raised $345 million to form the subsidiary and fund growth opportunities for its bank.

The leaders of Citizens Financial and Truist predict lending will bounce back in the second half of 2021 as the economy normalizes. But PNC chief Bill Demchak says there are scant signs that businesses are gearing up for a rebound.

The Arkansas company, once a prolific acquirer, last bought a bank in 2017 but now has three M&A deals in the works as it seeks new sources of growth.