Retail & Commercial

Banks that are financing the rise of nonbank competitors have been losing market share in commercial lending. But by getting in on the action, the same banks are also seeing some payoff.

Freedom Bank is rolling out Freedom@Work, which offers perks for employees of participating companies, as part of a wider strategy to attract more consumer deposits.

Marianne Lake will oversee strategic growth and the company's fast-growing overseas consumer bank. 

Oxford Bank appears poised to reap benefits from a substantial investment in building out its commercial finance subsidiary. The business, which provides credit to companies that aren't a good fit for bank loans, has moved into the banking mainstream over the last 15 years.

The probability of a trade war-induced recession is unclear and fluctuates almost daily. However, the possibility is real enough that banks have a responsibility to prepare for a serious economic downturn on par with the 2008 financial crisis.

The Department of Justice is seeking to terminate a Biden-era lending discrimination settlement with Lakeland Bank. Last month, the DOJ took similar action in a case involving Mississippi-based Trustmark National Bank.

Forbright Bank was reprimanded by the FDIC last year in connection with its use of brokered deposits. To address the issue, the Maryland-based lender has built out a digital banking arm.

The 15 largest banks had an average NCO ratio of 0.66% in the first quarter.

The Florida bank plans to buy Villages Bancorp for $710.8 million, marking its second in-state acquisition of 2025.

The transaction comes as the megabank is determined to simplify its operating model and shed units that have slower growth prospects or aren't core to its business.