The bank faced credit setbacks in the nation's capital and margin pressure this year. But it made a series of hires to reduce risk and diversify its loan portfolio, preparing for a new era of demand as the industry awaits interest rate cuts.

Branches are being closed at a record pace because of mergers and financial reasons. If a closed branch is in a good location and meets certain other conditions, it can represent a low-cost way for a community bank to expand.

The Minneapolis-based banking giant is enjoying its biggest year ever for 7(a) lending, with volume up 40%, as borrowers "are still coming to us," its SBA chief said.

After hikes pinched profits across the industry, a move in the opposite direction could be the start of a more promising trend. But bankers caution that the immediate effects of a September rate cut figure to be small.

The inquiry, which is focusing on the nation's four largest airlines, aims to protect consumers from potentially unfair, deceptive and anticompetitive practices.

The deal to buy the First of Long Island Corp. would create a $14 billion-asset bank with $11 billion of both loans and deposits.

The top five banks in this list closed a net total of 148 branches in this time period — and 492 branches in the past 12 months.

If banks want to create customer loyalty and support growth, they need to holistically focus on the human factors that ultimately influence business outcomes.

REV Federal Credit Union in suburban Charleston, South Carolina, plans to acquire First Neighborhood Bank in West Virginia. It marks the 15th deal this year involving a credit union buying a bank, closing in on 2022's record of 16 deals.

The combined bank would have $150 million in assets, and would offer better service and more convenience, according to Pulaski Savings Bank and Mutual Federal Bank.

Lenders across the country selected new executives late in the summer, as did Virginia's community bank advocacy group.

Northwest Federal Credit Union in Herndon, Virginia, will follow FedEx as stadium-name partner for the Washington Commanders, gaining branding rights for which the logistics giant was paying nearly $8 million annually.

City National Bank plans a new branch in California that fulfills one of its settlement obligations with the DOJ; Fiserv and PayPal expand their tech collaboration; Banc of California's Monica Sparks steps down; and more in this week's banking news roundup.

It's unclear what will happen when the Fed starts cutting interest rates, but community banks will be there to support their customers no matter what the economy looks like.

CEO Dominik Mjartan is stepping down after Optus Bank increased its assets more than 1,000% over seven years.

Bridgewater Bancshares agreed to acquire First Minnetonka Bancorp. in an all-cash transaction slated to close in the fourth quarter. It would create a nearly $5 billion-asset bank.

The average salary for these top compensated bank executives is more than $21 million.

The top five have more than $1.3 trillion in mortgage backed securities as of March 31.

Challenger bank OakNorth plans to kick its marketing into higher gear. Its desired endgame in the U.S. is a banking charter and it's open to an acquisition to help get it there.

Bringing in new talent is an essential part of building a business that endures. So, why are so many managers content to tolerate a hiring process that drives talented individuals away?