Community Banking

The Arkansas-based company pivoted to organic growth a few years ago, after making 14 bank acquisitions in less than a decade.

The House Financial Services Committee passed a community bank tailoring bill 33-21.

Though fourth-quarter net charge-offs reached a level not seen since the financial crisis, the Little Rock, Arkansas-based regional bank is forecasting better results in 2026 and an even stronger recovery in 2027.

In the 11 months after Fifth Third completes its acquisition of Comerica, the Cincinnati bank plans to send 13 million-to-14 million pieces of paper mail to retail customers. CEO Tim Spence says the old-fashioned method "still works," and actually has some advantages over more modern modes of communication.

Community Financial in Syracuse has agreed to purchase a small bank that's built its business model around end-of-life planning.

Coastal Financial in Washington State has acquired GreenFi, one of its fintech partners. The move is designed to buy time in order to figure out the best long-term strategy for the struggling neobank.

One of the leading makers of pre-packaged salads has acquired a 16.3% stake in Salinas, California-based Pacific Valley Bank. "It's a real vote of confidence," the bank's CEO said.

House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill's community-banking package includes reciprocal deposits, tailoring and many other items on community bankers' wish lists.

Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman outlined several priorities affecting community banks, including potential changes to asset thresholds for smaller institutions.