Retail & Commercial

Measures of loan performance were generally better than expected at Ally, American Express, Synchrony and Sallie Mae. Their 1Q reports suggest that consumers remain able to meet their obligations despite a long run-up in debt.

A big decrease in noninterest income outweighed cost controls during the first quarter.

During the National Credit Union Collections Alliance conference, experts shared best practices on several topics, including navigating member bankruptcies and positioning auto loans for a downturn.

Corporations now have more access to consumer financial information than ever before. The question is whether banks will be the ones to help firms harness this data.

The Providence, R.I., bank reported increases in most fee-based lines and loan categories, and it continued to add deposits through its new digital franchise, Citizens Access.

The Alabama company recorded a $91 million loan-loss provision and raised deposit rates during the first quarter.

The move is an extension of a pilot project begun in the fall. T-Mobile says it sought to give customers a better deal on digital banking and stand out from its rivals.

A surcharge-free ATM network among credit unions based in Central Texas has helped raise the profile of small CUs there – and some say it’s a strategy institutions in other cities could easily adopt.

Marianne Lake, seen in recent months as a leading candidate to replace CEO Jamie Dimon, got the post she may have needed to round out her resume — consumer lending chief. And Jennifer Piepszak, another rising star at the company, will take over as CFO from Lake.

CEO Andy Cecere acknowledges that other banks have tried to broaden customer relationships and selectively expand into new markets before and struggled. But the sophistication of today’s online and mobile services could make all the difference this time, he says.