Commercial lending

Social Finance’s application for an industrial loan charter has not only drawn opposition from a coalition of incumbent banks and community activists, it also serves as a microcosm of several perennial debates in financial services policy.

A series of balance sheet moves and a focus on deposit gathering and business lending led to a $157 million profit in the second quarter.

Double-digit growth in loan volume offset a decline in fee income at the Honolulu company.

A reserve release helped offset lower net interest income, reflecting the California company's efforts to exit businesses that hurt its bottom line last year.

On March 31, 2017. Dollars in thousands

On March 31, 2017. Dollars in thousands

Net interest income rose 7% and margins widened 17 basis points at the Wayzata, Minn., company.

Now that the Federal Reserve has raised short-term rates four times in the past 18 months, all eyes are on deposit costs as banks seek to keep pricing low and fatten margins. But that effort is complicated by the fact that banks must prepare for the unwinding of the Fed's balance sheet and consumers' rapid adoption of mobile deposits.

A double-digit increase in the size of the Connecticut company's commercial book factored heavily into its improved second-quarter results.

The Rhode Island bank plans to build out its fee income capabilities, expand C&I lending in the Southeast, renegotiate vendor contracts and take other steps to produce expense cuts and revenue enhancements of at least $90 million.

The Cincinnati company reaped the benefit of the latest round of interest rate hikes, as a higher net interest margin and lower costs helped overcome the drop in lending.

Readers question acting comptroller Noreika, weigh in on SoFi’s charter application, defend Trump’s exit from the Paris Accord, and more.

But the Connecticut company says the efficiencies of its recent acquisition of Suffolk Bancorp will begin to be realized soon.

The California lender, which specializes in trade finance, reported strong growth in commercial and other lending categories last quarter, and it urged the Trump administration to seek fair trade deals with China.

Leaf Commercial Capital originates about $500 million in loans annually tied to equipment and software purchases.

The marketplace lender's application for an industrial bank charter is under fire from small banks and progressives, who say it could violate the barrier between banking and commerce and shut out middle-class and lower-income consumers.

Small-business customers of Bank of America can now apply for credit through the bank’s digital channels.

The New York commercial lender's move sets the stage for a potential bulk sale of the taxi loans and an exit from the troubled business line.

First Home Bank raised nearly 20% more than it sought from investors, providing proof that Florida — especially the Tampa Bay area — is a hotbed of activity.

The Buffalo, N.Y., bank also said commercial and consumer lending ticked up, while residential real estate fell during the second quarter.