Retail & Commercial

The coronavirus pandemic has spurred more private buyers to acquire senior care homes, and the Oklahoma lender is eager to back them.

Banks have managed to steer around trouble spots in energy, hotel and mall-related credits. But fears of further deterioration, an eviction wave or more job losses are keeping lenders circumspect.

Agility Bank, one of two women-led groups seeking charters, is looking to open next spring.

Weak loan demand, persistently low yields and the continued struggles of sectors such as hospitality and retail are among the myriad lending challenges facing small regional banks.

The Ohio company's new effort will commit $25 million in 7(a) loans, along with fee waivers and financial education.

The Dallas bank has begun encouraging larger borrowers to seek forgiveness of Paycheck Protection Program loans first as it holds out for the government to streamline the process for loans below $150,000.

The new policy will allow the company to close some work sites and reduce the size of others. It’s part of a broader effort to cut expenses to help offset revenue declines brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

Out of crisis comes opportunity. The pandemic has prioritized digital strategy and transformation for nearly every industry, especially banking.

House Democrats had already approved a measure blocking the regulation reforming the Community Reinvestment Act, but the resolution faced more resistance in the upper chamber.

Both the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the American Bankers Association are encouraging the industry to offer basic products that could bring more unbanked households into the financial mainstream.