Growth strategies

The Long Island-based bank returned to profitability during the fourth quarter of 2025. The results mark "a significant milestone" in the bank's turnaround plan, CEO Joseph Otting said.

The Boston bank, which has been targeted by an activist investor over its M&A strategy, isn't pursuing deals, CEO Denis Sheahan said Friday. Instead, the company is focused on organic growth and share buybacks.

The Huntsville, Alabama-based regional bank is well positioned to defend its Southeast footprint, according to CEO John Turner. It's hiring more bankers in growth markets, it has strong brand recognition and it has a long history in its core markets, he said.

The bank, which has ties to prominent right-wing political figures, is touting its intention to embed cryptocurrency into loans, deposits and investment offerings.

One of the leading makers of pre-packaged salads has acquired a 16.3% stake in Salinas, California-based Pacific Valley Bank. "It's a real vote of confidence," the bank's CEO said.

The merger of equals, which received a chilly reception from investors when it was announced in July, closed faster than analysts had expected.

Bank merger and acquisition activity rebounded this year, led by Fifth Third's $10.9 billion proposed purchase of Comerica. Huntington, PNC and Columbia were involved in some of the other biggest deals announced in 2025.

The Los Angeles-based subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada is elbowing into fast-growing North Carolina and South Carolina with a strategy focused on middle market banking.

The all-stock acquisition of Mountain Commerce Bancorp in Knoxville marks the Arkansas-based company's first M&A foray since 2022.

The Canadian bank is determined to grow its U.S. business organically, CEO Darryl White said Thursday. But with so much excess capital, analysts wondered about the bank's appetite for M&A.

Royal Bank of Canada now expects to achieve an annual return on equity of at least 17% by 2027, executives said Wednesday, up one percentage point from the bank's earlier goal.

Financial institutions see an opportunity to nab scale after years of tepid dealmaking, but investors are pushing back against such efforts out of concerns about shareholder value.

The Wisconsin-based regional bank plans to acquire American National Corp. in an all-stock transaction valued at $604 million. It is Associated's first acquisition announcement since Andy Harmening became CEO in 2021.

Chris Ward of TD Bank and American Banker reporter Allissa Kline talk about challenges and opportunities in banking small businesses.

A recent $450 million loan is par for the course at Beal Bank USA, which has developed a reputation for seeking out nine-figure loans backed by tangible property.

Barwick Banking Co. will have the wherewithal to accelerate its expansion in Georgia and Florida after a $50 million investment from a new venture capital platform.

A national bank charter will help UBS Bank USA to expand offerings for wealth management clients, according a company memo.

Huntington's $7.4 billion acquisition of Cadence would give the Ohio-based bank a top-five market share in both Dallas and Houston. It comes just a week after Huntington closed its last Texas acquisition.