On Sep. 30, 2017. Dollars in thousands.

Bigger rivals are making inroads into small banks' bread-and-butter business line, yet the leaders of three community banks say they just need to keep doing what they do best — personal service — but work harder at it and incorporate new technology.

The key, experts say, is ensuring that staff makes members understand the reasoning behind the changes and making them feel like a part of the process.

After two century-old community institutions merged in 2010, they never suspected it would take seven years before their operating systems got along.

In our quest to solidify and improve customer satisfaction, we should not set up systems that have our teams more focused on manipulating scores than actually earning them.

Critics argue that the consumer bureau's independence is being undermined, and they worry that a precedent is being established that could hamper the autonomy of other U.S. financial regulators.

The Tennessee company also set high expectations for revenue opportunities while projecting it will deliver a 15% return on equity in 2019.

Washington State Employees Credit Union has reduced staff by attrition by 16 percent since 2013, saving enough money to pay the costs of modernizing at least one branch.

Eagle Bancorp vigorously defended itself after a potential short seller made claims of dubious insider dealings, pushing back harder than many banks have in the past.

Recent growth has come through acquisitions, including the 2015 purchase of a transportation finance business from General Electric and the 2011 takeover of Milwaukee-based Marshall & Ilsley.

The 2018 gubernatorial race will be watched closely both by bankers and consumer advocates to see whether Cordray's leadership of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau becomes a campaign asset or a liability.

The company agreed to buy TCSB Bancorp, the parent of Traverse City State Bank, for $63 million.

Colonial Savings founder James S. DuBose died after a yearlong battle with cancer. He was 93.

The Small Business Credit Availability Act aims to double the debt-to-equity ratio for business development companies. Increased leverage could spur more lending to small and midsize borrowers.

Teaching kids the CU difference, keeping first responders safe, hosting international visitors and other ways credit unions are giving back to the communities they serve.

During a sit-down interview, Bruce Van Saun, the CEO at Citizens Financial, explained how Washington policy changes could boost lending, why cyber threats keep him up nights and how fintechs and AI are changing the industry for the better.

With millions of Alexa and Google Home devices now in use, first-mover banks are rapidly developing services to let customers control their finances using only their voice — even if there are still many kinks to work out.

American Banker’s award winners for 2017 had moments in their careers where hard knocks taught an indelible lesson, they trusted their gut or they listened to good advice. Here is a takeaway from each of their stories.

Eagle is trying to debunk claims by Aurelius Value that CEO Ronald Paul and other directors are involved in an insider loan scheme. Eagle dismissed the report as an effort by short sellers to manipulate its stock.

Guaranty Federal Bancshares in Springfield, Mo., has agreed to buy Hometown Bancshares in Carthage.