The Tennessee-based bank was forced to keep operating on its own after a proposed acquisition was called off. Months later, First Horizon has picked up new customers and improved its profitability, but investors remain cautious amid plans for catch-up spending on technology.

Several regional banks have projected minimal growth or even a decline in lending this year. But Connecticut-based Webster is bullish based on its pipeline of nonoffice commercial real estate, public finance and other credits, CEO John Ciulla says.

ModernFi, which helps banks source or offload deposits in reciprocal or one-way arrangements, recently raised a Series A with participation from Huntington Bancshares, First Horizon Corp. and Regions Financial.

The Indiana bank is "on offense by continuing to invest in new client-facing and key support talent and being ready and opportunistic for acquisitions," CEO Jim Ryan says.

Fintechs' venture capital funding began to evaporate last year, while payments startups fared somewhat better by emphasizing quicker pathways to profits. It's a trend experts say is likely to persist this year as investors remain more cautious about costly or long-term plays.

Plaintiffs' lawyers are targeting various companies in connection with a California law that ensures customers can air grievances publicly without the threat of retribution. BofA and U.S. Bank say the suits against them are meritless.