In September's roundup of top banking news: Truist Financial promises to cut costs by roughly $750 million; former Wells Fargo exec Carrie Tolstedt is sentenced to three years probation; and more.

MidWestOne will reinvest proceeds of branch sales into Denver Bankshares; promotions are afoot in JPMorgan's investment banking unit; Bethpage Federal Credit Union expands into Queens and New Jersey; and more in the weekly banking news roundup.

The combination of inflation and rising interest rates over the last 18 months has made it more difficult for Americans to stay on top of their loan payments, especially on credit cards and auto loans.

A proposed settlement between the Philadelphia-based community bank and an activist investor group that has waged a nearly two-year battle for control also calls for overhauling the board of directors.

Two months after the mysterious failure of the Heartland Tri-State Bank in Elkhart, Kansas, a news article sheds light on its downfall. CEO Shan Hanes was involved in a cryptocurrency hoax involving a $12 million wire payment, according to the Bloomberg Businessweek report.

Lisa Rickert and Ruth McCord, who manage branches for Nicolet National Bank, share a passion for connecting with their customers and supporting their communities.

Peoples Financial Services has agreed to pay $129 million of stock for FNCB Bancorp. Peoples' CEO Craig Best would lead the combined company for a year after the merger closes, and then Gerard Champi, FNCB's current chief, would take over.

When running a bank branch, there are certain employee behaviors that must be nonnegotiable. But that still leaves plenty of room for improvisation and creativity.

Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan said that consumer activity has slowed throughout the year, but should remain strong enough to position the economy for growth later in 2024.

Ally Financial and Workers Credit Union say they've successfully infused marketing campaigns with AR to hype their brands and communicate their corporate values even as skeptics question whether customers are clamoring for the technology.

The two branches Julie Celozzi oversees for the Orlando, Florida, bank amassed $400 million of deposits in three years. Such production is often a steppingstone to bigger things, but Celozzi — who began as a part-time teller in high school — says she is "hooked" on branch banking.

Born in Venezuela, Lolita Peroza initially came to the U.S. to further her education and improve her English. Now 20 years into her banking career, she serves as a branch manager for Amerant Bank in Florida and is described by her boss as "always looking for additional opportunities to give back to the community."

The suit alleged that many off-duty cops picked up shifts at TD as security guards, only to go unpaid or wait months for their paychecks. The settlement did not include an admission of liability by the bank.

The Iowa-based bank says its two branches in Naples and Fort Myers were too small a presence to be competitive, so it decided to sell them to DFCU Financial.

Grace Law, a Hong Kong native, seized an opportunity to work in a Chase branch in New York City more than 30 years ago. Today, she seeks ways to ensure her community — immigrants who are frequently overlooked by banks — has access to financial services.

Northwest Bank starts search for new CFO; Plains State Bank acquires wealth management, tax businesses; Bank of America names new heads for North America industrials banking; and more in the weekly banking news roundup.

The nation's largest bank, which acquired the remains of San Francisco-based First Republic following its failure this spring, has completed its plans to close 21 offices this year. But the consolidation effort is likely to continue.

Federal prosecutors say Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat who sits on the Senate Banking Committee, accepted bribes in return for exerting political influence — including helping Fred Daibes, a small-bank executive who had been accused of loan fraud.

Federal Reserve Gov. Michelle Bowman, who has emerged as a leading opponent to the central bank's recent efforts to raise capital requirements, said it was "absolutely imperative" that banks make their concerns heard.

The top five banks have an average reputation score among noncustomers of 70.7 in 2023.