Retail & Commercial

The company was able release credit reserves because of actual and forecasted prices that boosted net income, CEO Priscilla Almodovar said.

The proposed implementing rule will squeeze credit for entrepreneurs and small businesses, adding more barriers to their success in an already-tight lending environment.

After focusing on cost control throughout much of 2023, including a round of job cuts, the Pittsburgh company has announced plans to expand in high-growth markets like Texas and refurbish more than 1,200 existing offices.

The lending fintech is increasing its reliance on third-party funding arrangements as its revenue slides. Analysts are wondering how much risk is embedded in the deals.

In all, the Denver-based bank plans to sell nine branches to two buyers as part of a decision to exit the state and invest more in technology and other markets where "it has the greatest growth potential."

Like the three regional banks that failed last spring, New York Community grew quickly over a short period of time. One analyst said there's now "permanent damage" to the "investor psyche around growth banks."

The government-sponsored enterprise financed 955,000 mortgages last year, down from the 1.8 million loans it backed in 2022.

New regulations involving cryptocurrency and the results of key elections will impact the industry's success this year.

Senior loan officers recently told the Federal Reserve that loan demand weakened and underwriting tightened last quarter, but both at a slower pace than three months earlier. They anticipate demand for credit will improve, especially in the back half of the year — provided rates begin to fall.

Shared services organizations PSCU and Co-op Solutions are offering post-purchase buy now/pay later loans, with the goal of reaching consumers who are concerned about managing their credit.