Commercial lending

The more things change in small-business lending, the more they stay the same, going back as far as 3,000 years. But in this book excerpt, Karen Mills, former head of the Small Business Administration, predicts momentous changes ahead.

The parent of Silicon Valley Bank is as bullish as Citi on the growth potential in China, despite the trade war. SVB's focus on early-stage startups is boosting its profits from Asia.

The company is under law enforcement scrutiny for loans that helped propel a boom and bust in the taxi medallion market in New York City.

Digit is applying its automated-savings techniques to the growing problem of student loan debt.

Bank and other lenders are said to have poured hundreds of billions of dollars into financing private-equity firms and their investment deals in recent years. Defaults have been low, but an economic slowdown could put these relationships to the test.

A special committee in the state Senate has recommended not to move forward on a proposed bill to tax credit unions above a certain asset threshold.

The restriction on how often a borrower’s account is debited was supposed to be relatively straightforward, but one lender is trying to fight that provision.

Executives at banks in California say there's only so much they can do until the flames subside.

On Jun. 30, 2019. Dollars in thousands.

On Jun. 30, 2019. Dollars in thousands.

The combination of low unemployment, rising wages and falling interest rates means more households are taking out loans for big-ticket items like speedboats and mobile homes.

The online lender posted a profit for the sixth consecutive quarter, as higher margins helped offset a decline in loan originations.

The online platform lender Kabbage is making the move beyond just providing working capital loans to small businesses, putting it in direct competition with alternative acquirers and payment companies.

Midsize players like BankUnited, BOK and Fulton Financial plan to rely on selective M&A, catering to niches overlooked by big banks, aggressive recruitment of commercial lenders and other strategies to stimulate revenue growth.

Executives say they are passing on more loans as bank and nonbank competitors cut rates and forgo traditional safeguards.

The company says the upgrade will support future digital investments. It also said Tuesday that third-quarter profits climbed 8% but reported a sharp increase in criticized business loans.

Amid concern that an economic downturn is approaching, Greg Carmichael said that banks need to focus on credit quality and not worry about expanding their balance sheets.

The Columbus, Ga., company had been counting on increased volume to offset a squeeze in net interest margins.

Declining interest rates took a toll on its profit margin, but the Salt Lake City company still beat earnings expectations in the third quarter.

At TCF National Bank in Detroit and First National Bank of Omaha, early results from artificial intelligence pilot programs are strong.