Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

PNC's decision to slim down and overhaul its branch network could inspire other banks to follow suit and finally start rethinking their expensive and outdated physical locations. American Banker editors discuss why most banks need to close down more branches, and why some regional and community banks remain committed to their existing networks.

Banks are increasingly trying to make up for lost revenue by charging new fees -- which can anger their customers. But banks that add checking account fees carefully and transparently can maintain good customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power's Rocky Clancy, who shares his other tips for charging fees with American Banker.

The Volcker Rule may be finalized, but bankers still face many looming questions about the final shape of the Dodd-Frank financial reform law and other pending financial regulations. American Banker editors discuss what to expect in 2014 from regulators including the Federal Reserve, the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Regulators have finalized the Volcker Rule governing banks' trading activity, the industry is likely to legally challenge many of the specifics, says Ingmar Bromstrup, a Principal at The Boston Consulting Group.

Most bankers are reluctant to shrink the size or number of their physical locations, but for the New Jersey lender ConnectOne, "the primary channel is no longer the branch on the corner." CEO Frank Sorrentino III discusses how ConnectOne has expanded its business in the competitive New York market by embracing technology instead of building many branches.

Tim Pawlenty, the CEO of the Financial Services Roundtable, says that complying with new regulations is the foremost concern for retail bankers. He spoke with American Banker at the Best Practices in Retail Financial Services Symposium.

Bankers these days face the prospect of getting penalized for everything from "disparate impact" to the actions of auto dealers and other third-party partners. That raises the question of whether such regulation is effective, enforceable or fair.

William Harrison, former chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, is "very happy" with the bank's current position and confident the fallout from its London Whale trading losses will blow over.

William Harrison, Jr., the former Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase and an outspoken defender of large banks, says forced breakups are not in the cards.

Bank deal-making faces a new hurdle as a small group of attorneys challenges a large number of buyout offers. For the lawyers, even dubious challenges can result in big paydays. For potential acquirers, the added costs and hassles are another hurdle on the way to reinvigorating the still-struggling bank M&A market.