Issuers should develop strategies to make their account the primary one in a consumer's existing wallet and on new payment tools offered by companies like PayPal or Square.

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BB&T (BBT) will close 21 branches as it works to ingrate the recently acquired BankAtlantic into its operations.

S&T Bank in Indiana, Pa., has expanded its commercial loan business into northeast Ohio by opening an office in Akron.

The Paramus, N.J., thrift decided to sell itself to M&T for a relatively low price rather than keep trying to overcome its reliance on low interest rates. That was bad news for the countless small banks attempting similar reboots.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has issued an enforcement order against Citizens First National Bank that requires the Princeton, Ill., bank to become adequately capitalized or sell itself.

Most of the program's participants are increasing business loans, though some are having to reduce lending rates to book the best loans.

Existing customers are generally praising Square's new flat monthly fee for processing card transactions, but Square's challenge will be winning over business owners who are on the fence about its services.

The regulatory risk from Basel III, Dodd-Frank and other pressures will keep banks from growing, and the economy can't grow, if banks don't.

The consumer agency announced a series of changes in the wake of a key defection.

Jacksonville Bancorp (JAXB) plans to raise up to $50 million by selling securities to a group of investors led by the Florida company's biggest shareholder.

Offer each retail customer the best terms for which he qualifies—and not just for mortgages. Don't count on a second chance to bargain or risk the legal and reputational consequences of offering less than your best.

Independent Bank in Rockland, Mass., has filed a shelf registration to raise up to $125 million.

Tight budgets and industry upheaval have bankers and their lobbyists planning to keep low profiles in Tampa and Charlotte.

First National Community Bancorp in Dunmore, Pa., reported a bigger loss for the first six months of the year compared with 2011 largely because of lower noninterest income.

Community banks should exploit their advantages based on convenience, personal service, local decision making and a relationship model reliant on deep customer knowledge.

The rumor mill is catching fire as Apple nears its next product launch. Changes to the iPhone, iPad and other systems could affect initiatives at many payments companies.

JPMorgan Chase (JPM) has outbid its competitors to snag about a third of the ATMs, the most of any financial institution, located at the busiest airport in New England.

Criticized in the past for its high fees, the company rolls out a new flat-fee account that does away with charges for bounced checks, account inactivity and using out-of-network ATMs.