Retail & Commercial

Lawmakers have set $10 billion in assets as a dividing line between small and large banks for regulatory purposes. That's left bankers at Trustmark's Gerard Host and other institutions that are approaching the cutoff with a choice: Deliberately limit their size or pursue acquisitions to solidly cross the threshold.

The smattering of data showing an upsurge in lending activity now includes the statistical reporting required under the Community Reinvestment Act.

National Penn Bancshares in Boyertown, Pa., has completed restructuring $400 million of fixed-rate borrowings with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh to reduce interest expense and expand its net interest margin.

Bank of America announced the nationwide launch of its online rewards system, BankAmeriDeals. The system allows consumers to select deals online or through a mobile app and then redeem those offers by spending with a credit or debit card.

First Data has reached an agreement to provide credit card processing and related services to First Niagara Bank in Buffalo, N.Y.

Consumers continue to take their credit card borrowing more seriously. The ratio of credit cardholders 90 or more days past due on their payments continues to drop even as issuers are extending credit to higher-risk customers, according to TransUnion.

Money funds and non-deposit-taking consumer lenders should be chartered as limited purpose banks by the Fed and CFPB, respectively. This will reduce systemic risk, improve consistency and efficiency, and protect consumers.

Four years after filing the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history amid soured real estate bets, Lehman Brothers is still in the property business, wagering it can recover about $12.9 billion from mortgages and assets around the globe.

Six North Carolina businessmen and banking veterans made up the group that raised $13 million to buy First Carolina State Bank in Rocky Mount, N.C., from Capitol Bancorp (CRBC).

A personal touch can help a bank stand out, but providing great service is a challenge in our increasingly digital society. How do you develop meaningful (and lasting) relationships with your customers?