Commercial lending

Commercial real estate is their bread and butter, but many banks are scaling back in this vital loan category. Here’s why.

The Illinois commercial bank gained a new role when it realized it shared the same digital transformation challenges as its customers.

It usually costs small businesses a lot of time and money to calculate their own value. TD Bank is offering them a free digital tool that performs the task quickly.

Sponsoring so-called pitch competitions helps lenders gain Community Reinvestment Act credit and gather deposits.

A number of banks are upgrading technology and hiring more lenders to better reach small-business owners, who are becoming more confident in their outlooks.

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.