Retail & Commercial

Consolidation activity was ho-hum for most of April before a burst of transactions — and notable ones at that — were announced in the month's final week.

Pinnacle Bank chief Terry Turner never lacks specifics. He wants to expand inside a triangular zone that connects three Southern and mid-Atlantic cities, aims to enter five particular markets, and speaks bluntly about his plans for hiring alums of BB&T and SunTrust.

Elder abuse costs banks $1 billion in deposits a year, according to AARP. It has launched a video-game-style online training program that teaches bank employees what to be alert for.

The Senate has confirmed a new president and two board members, giving the U.S. Export-Import Bank the ability to approve loan guarantees of more than $10 million for the first time since 2015.

A digital challenger bank is relying heavily on artificial intelligence to provide low-cost banking to low-income people and small businesses.

As the CFPB moves closer to updating its debt collection regulations, revising restrictions on phone calls and other communications with consumers must be a priority.

Departments across large institutions remain siloed, which leads to poor customer service. Fintechs are poised to take business from unhappy consumers unless banks address this problem.

Consumers expect financial institutions to provide mobile applications that combine ease of use with top-class security features. Biometrics could help credit unions keep up with these high-stakes technology demands.

The Fed is moving to prepare banks for unexpected shocks tied to weather; rules would be eased for trades between affiliates.

It's not likely most lenders or credit card issuers would jump at the chance to give more money to a customer having trouble making payments. But for some borrowers, that may be the best solution to this problem.