Retail & Commercial

The company will pay $42 million for Oak Park River Forest Bancshares.

In honor of International Credit Union Day, here's CU Journal's annual look at the everyday occurrences – both routine and meaningful – that bring "the credit union difference" to life.

The $286.4 million deal is an important test for Upgrade, which has raised $142 million of equity over the past two years but has yet to turn a profit.

The Portland, Ore, company also benefited from lower expenses and an improved efficiency ratio.

David Reed, a Republican, is stepping down as a state legislator after redistricting cost him a shot at a congressional seat.

Banks should work to shield some customers who may otherwise be flagged or blocked by AI-powered safeguards, and consider using alternative data to expand services to the underbanked.

Executives are reluctant to pull back on their big investments in technology, arguing they must stay competitive and that they have flexibility in other areas to trim costs if growth begins to stagnate.

Bigger banks appear to be losing C&I share to small and midsize lenders. That's raising questions about whether community banks — known more for commercial real estate lending — have enough expertise to underwrite deals that larger banks avoid.

Total loans fell, but earnings soared thanks to wider margins, a smaller loan provision and fewer legal costs now that the Wilmington Trust probe is settled.

The Minneapolis company, which reported strong profits but 1% loan growth, is hiring middle-market bankers in New York and launching a digital lending platform aimed at small businesses.