Commercial lending

The trend may be partly attributable to a strong economy. Growth in high-cost installment lending could also be a factor.

Fair Financial, a digital banking platform developed by a Twin Cities nonprofit in partnership with a local bank, launched a pilot program this week. By 2020, it plans to serve 5,000 customers across the country.

Denver-based P2Binvestor plans to use the new funds to expand its bank partnership program.

A team of economists surveyed by the American Bankers Association also believe that unemployment could reach new lows.

The explosion in construction of self-storage facilities is being backed by banks hungry for commercial loans. Some market participants fear a glut is in the making and the credits could sour.

Bankers would be better off cleaning their own houses and focusing on deregulation efforts, instead of going after credit unions, suggests NAFCU's Carrie Hunt.

The online lender wants to provide instant payments and securitizations alongside instant loans, according to CEO Anthony Noto.

The Dallas company expects to report a higher loan-loss provision after the loans, which include two shared national credits, deteriorated in the second quarter.

Approval rates for small-business loan applications were up at small and larger financial institutions as the labor market continued to improve.

The Canadian company's ambitions include opening a commercial banking office in Dallas and beefing up lending to the technology, construction engineering and the health care sectors.