Branch banking

Workers Credit Union installed a life-size hologram of “Olivia” in specialized locations to offload some mundane customer service tasks. It’s also catching the attention of passersby.

Consolidation results in harms such as higher prices, reduced worker bargaining power and increased barriers to competition. Because of that, regulators must carefully vet these deals.

The Dallas bank is joining the branch-consolidation trend that has accelerated during the pandemic, announcing plans to shutter 22 branches in Michigan, Texas and California.

Constraining consolidation will only hurt the goal of expanding consumers' access to banking services and credit.

Despite high inflation and a tight labor market, median compensation at certain banks hasn’t budged much, according to a new report from a left-leaning group. “We can give people a more fair reward for their labor,” one of the co-authors said.

Proactively checking in on your customers lets them know who is on their side.

Bank of America is moving three months early on its most recent plan to raise its hourly base pay. “Until the labor market eases, the weight of wage growth is going to be strong,” CEO Brian Moynihan said during a CNBC interview.

Kinecta Federal and Hawaii State Federal are launching smaller, high-efficiency branches and creatively managing real estate to better meet members where they are as well as cater to a younger demographic.

The Cincinnati bank was targeted for the second time since 2018 when an armed man took hostages at a branch in suburban Chicago this week. Security experts say traditional robbery training may have to be expanded as active-shooter situations become more common.

The acquisition of locations owned by HomeStreet Bank will mark the Idaho bank's entry into the Evergreen State.