The regional bank announced a near-doubling of the size of its most-senior leadership team, plus expanded roles for two former SunTrust executives and the hiring of a wholesale banking chief from Wells Fargo. Truist is under pressure to improve both its efficiency and its financial performance.

Share prices climbed sharply amid increased optimism about the outlook for interest rates. Regional banks that got hammered earlier this year were among the biggest winners.

Executives at Capital One, U.S. Bank, BMO and Atlantic Union Bank are striving for seamless onboarding and more efficient branch bankers, among other projects on their technology drawing boards.

With employees regularly fleeing to bomb shelters — and some being called away to military service — these technologists must still serve a global clientele while confronting fear and destruction at home.

Bank failures last spring forced many startup businesses to shift where they store their cash. JPMorgan Chase appears to be the top beneficiary, but other banks say they are just as eager to reel in deposits and do more business with the innovation economy.

Don't underestimate how lonely and messy entrepreneurship is, Walter said at American Banker's Small Biz Banking conference.

Bankers should stop thinking of small companies as difficult to serve, Comerica's Brian Haney says; "How does succeeding in small business make the retail bank stronger?"

Since the end of the Small Business Administration's 2022 fiscal year, the average loan size in its flagship program has dropped more than six figures. The addition of three new nondepository lenders could further drive down this figure.

A recent effort by Citigroup to nudge certain customers toward digital-only statements was well intended but too punitive, observers say. The key, they argue, for banks seeking to cut costs or achieve other goals is to offer incentives to those with ingrained habits.

The bank is adding fintech-style buy now/pay later lending to other recent payment upgrades at its merchant acquiring unit.