The purchase of Peoples Banktrust would create the fifth-largest bank based in Georgia’s most populous metropolitan area.

First Busey Corp. is investing in software to eliminate the drudgery of some tasks. But this Best Bank to Work For will judge the success of the tech initiative by employee engagement more so than just efficiency. The goal is to boost morale.

A focus on getting work done more efficiently has prompted these midsize banks to rearrange responsibilities, eliminate red tape and use technology to automate repetitive or tedious tasks. Some are also enhancing leadership development and increasing employee benefits amid an increase in turnover.

Without the ability to build cutting-edge technology or recruit top talent, the best outcome for many small lenders is to merge with a bank seeking to enter a new market.

Diane Morais, the bank's consumer and commercial banking president, writes that eliminating overdrafts has had little impact on the bottom line, and she encourages more banks to do the same.

From paying for lawn care when an Army Reservist on staff was deployed to offering employees office space and laptops for their children to do school work, United Bank in Alabama aims to make life easier for the people who work there. It is also ramping up internal training programs.

The largest of the 2021 Best Banks to Work For, those with more than $10 billion of assets, are trying new recruiting tactics and ramping up diversity efforts.

U.S. consumers’ card debt, which fell sharply last year, has now climbed for two consecutive quarters. The upcoming holiday shopping season will signal how quickly borrowing will return to 2019 levels.

The Illinois company plans to combine Guaranty Federal Bancshares in Springfield with another bank it bought in the region.

The Pennsylvania community bank lacked the resources to go all-in on developing a diversity, equity and inclusion policy, so it turned to grad students at Georgetown University for help.

The company, whose software is used by four of the top five U.S. banks, says it will use the money to improve its identity verification and fraud detection technology.

The smallest of the Best Banks to Work For have figured out how to thrive in an environment where many employees are working fully or partly from home. Some are using flexibility as a tool to stave off burnout.

The U.S. unit of Spain’s Banco Santander is the latest bank to make it easier for customers to avoid the charges.

On Jun. 30, 2021. Dollars in thousands.

Even as the pandemic has hastened adoption of digital banking, industry officials say branches remain vital points of contact with consumers.

On Jun. 30, 2021. Dollars in thousands.

The Houston companies emphasized the need for added size to compete with megabanks such as JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo.

On Jun. 30, 2021. Dollars in thousands.

Citigroup said it plans to take charges of $1.2 billion to $1.5 billion as it winds down retail banking operations in South Korea, part of CEO Jane Fraser’s sweeping efforts to focus on more profitable businesses for the Wall Street giant.