Bank technology

With tricked-out conference rooms, online career development tools and blocks of time for chitchat, Ally and Citizens are strengthening connections between colleagues during phased returns to the office.

Companies that put in place procedures and technology to analyze data from phone calls, emails, chats and other communications can help front-line workers avoid repeating customer service mistakes.

Arvest Bank is hoping its version of a virtual branch — a stand-alone app that uses chat to forge a long-lasting relationship between bankers and clients — will suit its customers who prefer one-on-one interaction.

Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and United Wholesale Mortgage are among the financial companies teaching employees and recruits technology skills to take on new roles and get better in their current ones.

After withdrawing two previous bids, the e-commerce company submitted an application to the FDIC outlining a significantly simpler business model for a proposed industrial loan company.

Coastal Community in Washington is an investor in and the first client of Synctera, a software company that aims to help community banks manage their fintech relationships, including regulatory obligations.

The company is best known for its reciprocal deposit program, but it’s finding new ways to serve banks without competing for their customers.

The deal is intended to better help credit unions and other financial institutions improve digital lending capabilities