As the need for easy-yet-secure mobile banking authentication escalates and consumers become used to logging in by looking into a camera, banks are taking the technology more seriously.

Excite Credit Union in San Jose, now a community development financial institution, says over 60% of its lending caters to consumers in low-income brackets.

Rochelle State Bank is flush with capital after a group led by investor Rajib Das purchased the bank from its longtime owner in June. Das says his priority is boosting lending locally, but he is also planning to invest heavily in technology and mulling acquisitions.

In a recent securitization with Capital One, RBC Capital Markets gave a bigger role to small firms owned by minorities and women. It’s one example of how banks are striving to be more inclusive.

Bankers worry the proposed reporting requirements on small-business loans will be used to shame lenders for neglecting minority-owned firms. Community groups are already preparing to use the data to point out racial disparities.

Arvest Bank is hoping its version of a virtual branch — a stand-alone app that uses chat to forge a long-lasting relationship between bankers and clients — will suit its customers who prefer one-on-one interaction.