Branch banking

Orange Bank and Trust in Middletown says it will operate as a boutique commercial bank, focusing on small business, nonprofits and the borough's sizzling housing construction market.

The unionization push by members of the bank's conduct management intake team has been hotly contested. If approved, it would represent a landmark in the effort to organize workers at the $1.9 trillion-asset bank.

Net closings rose to the highest quarterly level in nearly three years. As M&A rebounds, banks are also trimming their physical footprints as customer demand for digital services overshadow in-person transactions.

The inquiry by securities regulators came in response to reporting that bank employees pushed products in ways that misled customers as they sought to meet their sales targets.

Banks like Fifth Third have increased security measures at their branches, while some potential robbers are turning to cybercrime.

Deconsolidation from Seven & i resulting from a reduction of its stake in Seven Bank would make such a scenario more possible, according to CEO Masaaki Matsuhashi.

The Pittsburgh-based superregional bank plans to build more than 200 new branches in 12 states by 2029, twice the number it announced in February, in a bid to increase scale.

Queensborough National Bank & Trust did not expect that its branches would be in the path of Hurricane Helene. Getting its buildings up and running again was a physical and technological ordeal.

Bank of America is planning to open 165 new branches by the end of 2026. As brick-and-mortar locations remain critical for adding new customer accounts, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo are also making targeted additions to their branch networks.

St. Mary's Bank in New Hampshire tries to serve members as it has for 116 years, while dealing with today's cybersecurity and fraud concerns.

Independence Bank of Kentucky said 14 customers had reported receiving the bills, which included text such as "for motion picture purposes."

The Ohio-based bank said it would hire 350 people to operate retail banking and wealth management businesses in a region where it recently launched commercial banking.

Branches are being closed at a record pace because of mergers and financial reasons. If a closed branch is in a good location and meets certain other conditions, it can represent a low-cost way for a community bank to expand.

Currently sitting at 2,500, the in-store branch count appears fated to continue dropping, as customers opt for digital channels and banks shy away from models that emphasize overdraft.

NCR Atleos and Diebold Nixdorf are leveraging the rise of branchless financial institutions and putting pressure on traditional banks to maintain access to paper.

First National Community Bank CEO Ryan Earnest said his institution would likely use its entry into Paulding County, an Atlanta suburb, as a template for future expansion.

Susser Bank has proved successful attracting business from small and midsize companies the past two years. It's hoping a successful capital raise and continued branch expansion can extend the trend.

U.K. banks are testing machines that can accept deposits from multiple machines.

As high interest rates continue weighing on banks' balance sheets, some are selling branches to real estate firms and leasing them back. The strategy is helping lenders that want to restructure their underwater bond portfolios.

The bank said it would reduce its physical footprint by nearly 15% as part of an effort to reduce overlapping operations, drive cost savings and meet profitability targets tied to its May acquisition of Lakeland Bancorp.