The 10-year-old lender, which reported a double-digit jump in profits, is benefiting from what its CEO called "animal spirits" at work on this side of the Atlantic.

First Busey finalized its acquisition of CrossFirst Bankshares; American Express agreed to buy expense management firm Center; Valley National Bank appointed a new president of commercial banking and a new CFO; and more in this week's banking news roundup.

Forecasters on an American Bankers Association panel predict continued economic growth this year, though they say President Trump's tariffs have created new inflation and recession risks.

Six proposals involving the purchase of a bank were terminated or rejected in 2024.

The New Jersey bank, which has been investing in its capital markets business, recently helped the fintech lender Best Egg securitize and sell $160 million of loans.

Following a record-setting 2024, only one transaction involving a credit union buying a bank has been announced so far this year. Seller concerns about regulatory approval and pushback from bank industry groups have contributed to the slowdown.

The top five bank M&A deals had an average deal value to tangible common equity ratio of nearly 185%.

Independence Bank can cease operations once it satisfies the conditions in an FDIC consent order. Liquidation would close out a five-year drama that began when regulators cited the bank for SBA lending irregularities.

As climate change causes more frequent disasters, more mortgages are at risk of going underwater. How can banks limit their exposure?

Small lenders across the country filled leadership positions, including Orrstown Financial Services and QCR Holdings.

The Los Angeles-based parent company of Bank of Hope expects to complete its acquisition of Honolulu-based Territorial in April. The $79 million deal faced challenges when an investor group made a competing bid.

In the new open banking world, banks are no longer just service providers but platform enablers that offer everything from payment processing to account verification through application programming interfaces.

Lone Star Capital Bank's plan to merge into Rio Financial Services' banking subsidiary is one of several recently announced Texas M&A deals; David Sparacio will join Birmingham, Alabama's ServisFirst Bancshares as its chief financial officer; Capital City Bank names Ramsay Sims chief banking officer; and more in this week's banking news roundup.

Concentrating in narrow specialties can attract both relatively low-cost deposits and low-risk loans in an era of high interest rates and economic uncertainty, lenders say.

The cloud-based digital banking provider signed an agreement to purchase the fintech for $400 million; the deal is expected to close by March 31.

The $15 billion-asset Seacoast is paying a hefty premium, but CEO Charles Shaffer called Heartland Bancshares an "incredibly valuable" franchise.

Leslie Wims Morris, JPMorgan's former chief of corporate development, testified that she trusted Javice "100%" on her claim that the company had millions of users.

The largest independent digital investment advisor in the U.S. is buying the automated investing arm of the woman-focused company.

Under grilling from Senate Democrats, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director-designate Jonathan McKernan agreed to continue the statutory mandates of the bureau, but refused to comment on Elon Musk, stop-work orders, or litigation that has been dropped against financial firms.

The island's largest bank promoted President Javier Ferrer to CEO, effective July 1. He will succeed Ignacio Alvarez, who will retire from the company at the end of June.