As virtual assistants become central to banking, financial institutions of all sizes must embrace and leverage this transformation to redefine the customer experience.

The $18.5 billion-asset institution saw member growth increase by 22% year-over-year and fund levels surge in the first six months of last year after deploying a new deposit origination platform.

Car loan delinquencies are worsening across all age groups and income levels, as high interest rates and elevated car prices take a toll, according to the New York Fed. But executives at some large auto lenders remain relatively confident about their customers' ability to stay afloat.

The biggest banks need to get creative about the kinds of products and services they offer, and their efforts to attract a broader customer base.

Artificial intelligence promises to replace a large percentage of entry-level analysts, call center workers and others, while leaving most senior managers untouched.

The San Francisco company entered into a pact with its regulator when it acquired Radius Bank three years ago. "The operating agreement, by design, in some ways slows you down," said CEO Scott Sanborn.

Dogwood State Bank and Community First Bancorp plan an all-stock deal to create a $2.2 billion bank, technology firm Fiserv announces a partnership with the National Hockey League's New Jersey Devils, former Texas secretary of state will join Cullen/Frost's board and more in our weekly banking news roundup.

Brandon Milhorn, the new CEO of the Conference of State Banking Supervisors, used the platform offered by his first major speech to sound an alarm against one-size-fits-all solutions emanating from Washington. "The pendulum has swung too far in the direction of federal regulatory uniformity," Milhorn argued.

The embattled bank said it reviewed and then turned down a $3.25-per-share bid from Dream Chasers Capital. Carver called the offer "unrealistically low" given the bank's "intrinsic value."

Challenger banks, like traditional banks, are under pressure to operate with fewer expenses. Artificial intelligence is part of the answer, and the impact on the workforce may be profound.