Banking

Banks, under pressure to act hastily, began taking applications for government aid to small businesses hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. But narrow eligibility rules at some banks angered business owners and lawmakers.

First State Bank, which the FDIC sold to MVB Financial, had struggled with profitability and capital levels for several years.

CUs in the Eastern European nation were originally shuttered out of fears they could further the spread of COVID-19 but have been allowed to resume operations provided certain safety precautions are met.

Cobalt Credit Union is currently a state-chartered institution but is looking to once again become a federal one because of Iowa state taxes.

The pandemic could lead to a sharp rise in defaults and loan requests from farmers who have struggled with low prices and the impact of trade wars.

The decision sparked outrage from small-business owners who have checking accounts with the bank but not loans or business credit cards. Bank of America started taking applications Friday for a $349 billion program that's intended to offer aid to small businesses suffering from the shocks of the coronavirus pandemic.

Yes, the Small Business Administration's emergency funding program for the coronavirus crisis is off to a rocky start, but that shouldn't stop banks from helping customers in need.

The $5.9 billion-asset Liberty Bank in Middletown had set aside $5 million to make small-dollar loans to customers affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The agency proposed changes in December to how customer relationships affect the definition of brokered funds, which has big implications for banks that are not well capitalized.

The proposed Agility Bank would rely heavily on digital offerings. It is pursing a national charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

The CEO says he is getting stronger and working remotely; if the lockdown lasts several months, the GSEs may need a bailout, FHFA head Mark Calabria says.

Limiting access to branches because of the pandemic has forced executives to re-examine whether they offer enough mobile and online services.

Regulators point to traditional financial institutions as well-positioned to meet short-term credit needs during the coronavirus pandemic, but there are still a host of questions about whether the industry should try to compete with high-cost lenders.

Many bankers find crucial parts of the SBA effort to help businesses hurt by the coronavirus outbreak to be unclear and onerous. If those issues go unresolved, participation could suffer.

Digital banks outscored brick-and-mortar banks in a recent J.D. Power study of customer satisfaction. However, the survey pointed to shortcomings in call center services, which are in high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The insurance and research company expects the U.S. to fall into a recession as unemployment spikes and the GDP declines.

Like his longtime boss and mentor, Bob Wilmers, Jones is deeply committed to investing in communities, controlling expenses and delivering value for investors. But he also has novel ideas for modernizing M&T, like doing away with its "permission culture," improving the customer journey and positioning it as a go-to bank for tech talent.

The U.K. company has recruited Bruce Wallace, formerly of Silicon Valley Bank, and Ronald Oliveira, who was with AvidBank, to lead its expansion here.

If Capitol Hill plans another round of stimulus, Democrats could have more leverage to demand steps such as suspending overdraft fees – a measure which could have a big impact on credit union revenue.

Lenders can offer deferred payments and capitalize on digital banking to help small businesses and consumers get back on their feet.