Commercial lending

Forecasters on an American Bankers Association panel predict continued economic growth this year, though they say President Trump's tariffs have created new inflation and recession risks.

Concentrating in narrow specialties can attract both relatively low-cost deposits and low-risk loans in an era of high interest rates and economic uncertainty, lenders say.

The Connecticut bank expects to report a $9.5 million net loss for the fourth quarter, but it said it's made headway in its efforts to cultivate investors and bolster its capital levels.

The New York-based institution tapped the former Republic First CEO to help oversee its transformation from a predominantly multifamily lender into business bank.

The New York-based fintech's high-tech initiative is the centerpiece of an initiative aimed at capitalizing on an expected surge in small business lending activity.

A federal magistrate judge is recommending that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's small business lending data collection rule be upheld, rejecting a challenge by merchant cash advance lenders.

Small lenders produced net interest margin expansion in the fourth quarter, thanks in large part to interest rate cuts in the second half of 2024. Festering inflation, however, threatens to lead to rate increases that could stall their momentum.

A federal appeals court in Texas has delayed the implementation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's small-business data reporting rule slated to go into effect in July. How the Trump administration proceeds from here could be instructive on its approach to other CFPB rules.

Oil and gas companies are borrowing to invest in more drilling and new processing facilities to meet rising global needs for U.S. fossil fuels. Several banks said energy loan demand is expected to strengthen further this year.

A bill offered by Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, would repeal Dodd-Frank Section 1071 and eliminate any data-collection requirements for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

The Dallas bank made some headway on its goal to slim down its multifamily loan portfolio, but $17 million in bad loans led to a bottom-line loss in the fourth quarter.

The Rutherford-based Blue Foundry Bancorp reported an eighth consecutive quarter of red ink, but a widening margin and positive loan growth trends hint at better times ahead.

During fourth-quarter earnings calls, bank leaders said they don't expect borrower demand to pick up until the second half of 2025. But to the extent there's optimism, it involves business lending.

Valley National Bank and Dime Community Bancshares expect a better balance of deposit costs to help boost their net interest margins in 2025.

The case against Yellowstone Capital, which state officials alleged deceived small-business borrowers, has brought attention to the industry.

The Dallas-based company expects average loan growth to be flat to up 1% from 2024, driven by the ongoing payoffs of commercial real estate loans, executives said.

The Alabama-based regional bank reported stronger earnings on a bump in capital markets fee revenue and lower expenses, but its total loans declined and its charge-offs increased. It expects only modest loan growth this year.

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

The action rids the Montana bank of a $62.8 million loan that's long been on its watch list. It comes as First Interstate's new CEO looks to put his own stamp on the bank.