Retail & Commercial

Digital currency exchanges may soon file formal proposals and applications to operate under regulations set by the New York State Department of Financial Services.

There is optimism that the Small Business Administration will be allowed to approve a larger volume of SBA loans in fiscal year 2015 compared to previous years. Bankers are especially supportive of plans to continue waiving fees for smaller 7(a) loans.

Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania (RBPAA) in Narbeth has agreed to sell nearly $14 million in stock through private placements.

Retail bankers are struggling with a vexing mix of competitive and regulatory headwinds these days. As they prepare to gather at American Banker's Retail Banking 2014 conference, the publication's editors discuss what are likely to be the hottest topics of the day.

Bank lending to small businesses reached post-recession record highs in February, according to the latest Biz2Credit Small Business Lending Index.

Banks of all sizes are struggling to increase the revenues and profits that they can eke out of their retail operations — while trying to elbow their competitors out of the same turf. To do so, bankers need to face some hard truths about their branches, technology and M&A ambitions.

Meridian Interstate Bancorp (EBSB) in East Boston, Mass., is planning a second-step conversion.

Pervasive distrust is a thorn in the side of financial technology innovators and bankers alike, and has prevented mobile wallets from helping consumers manage their finances in real time – a tool they desperately need!

FBC Mortgage, a unit of the investment bank Sterne Agee Group, is seeking loan referral partnerships with community banks. In a recent deal it also hired HomeBanc's mortgage personnel.

Cardinal Financial (CFNL) in Tysons Corner, Va., has merged its two banks.