Growth strategies

The New York-based digital-only bank is seeking to partner with more brands after a recent deal opened the way to serving millions of AAA customers.

Investor reaction to the proposed $8.6 billion deal has been sour, with both banks' share prices falling more than 11% as of Friday afternoon. The response appeared to reflect the market's distaste for mergers of equals and the risks associated with crossing the $100 billion-asset threshold.

Flagstar Bank wants to merge its holding company into the bank, which would cut $15 million in annual expenses and eliminate regulatory oversight by the Federal Reserve, leaving the OCC as its primary regulator. The bank's CEO, Joseph Otting, is a former comptroller of the currency.

Kate Luft, a former chief of staff for Citi CEO Jane Fraser, is now running the company's U.S. retail banking business. In her first interview since getting the job, Luft discussed what banks can learn from airlines and the advantages that incumbents have over fintechs.

After the rapid rise of interest rates, election uncertainty and tariff policies stymied borrower demand, some banks' second-quarter results suggest that loan growth may be on its way back.

The Columbus, Ohio-based company plans to acquire Veritex Holdings, which has grown into one of the Lone Star State's biggest commercial banks over the past 15 years.

Oxford Bank appears poised to reap benefits from a substantial investment in building out its commercial finance subsidiary. The business, which provides credit to companies that aren't a good fit for bank loans, has moved into the banking mainstream over the last 15 years.

BMO Financial Group has sold a U.S. credit card portfolio and exited a franchise loan portfolio as part of an effort to achieve a return on equity of at least 12% in its U.S. business.

Richmond, Virginia-based Atlantic Union is still integrating its recent acquisition of Sandy Spring Bank in Maryland. But CEO John Asbury has already begun plotting a new expansion course.

The Dallas-based company's broker-dealer arm, Texas Capital Securities, has also made several recent hires as it continues to expand its capabilities.

Private equity-backed consolidators need platform uniformity to grow — but without sacrificing acquired RIAs' unique strengths.

While other European-based banks have retreated from the United States, Santander is doubling down by building out its nationwide digital-banking platform. "Unequivocally," said U.S. CEO Christiana Riley, "the opportunity … is so clear."

After the Washington bank's rocky integration with Umpqua, investors are wary of its plan to acquire Pacific Premier Bancorp in Southern California.

The Long Island-based regional bank, which reported another quarterly loss Friday, continues to hire in the commercial-and-industrial lending sphere as it seeks to diversify its commercial real estate-heavy business.

Nashville-based FB Financial announced the opening of a new office in Asheville, North Carolina, a week after striking a $381 million deal for an Alabama-based community bank.

The first year of Otting's tenure as the New York lender's CEO brought substantial change, but the job isn't done. His goal: to build a powerhouse, profitable regional bank.

The bank now offers personal loans up to $50,000 to State Farm customers, the latest step in its effort to broaden its customer base by teaming up with other companies.

Georges Elhedery aims to double down on HSBC's investment-banking operations in Asia and the Middle East after exiting key businesses in the U.S. and Europe.

The U.S. arm of Spanish banking giant Banco Santander is offering a high-yield savings account through its digital bank, Openbank, to eligible Verizon customers, a move that will introduce Santander to millions of potential new customers.