Commercial lending

So far, Washington has generally smiled on tech-driven lenders such as Lending Club and OnDeck. But many in the fast-growing industry are now bracing for closer scrutiny.

The Miami area's economy is on the rebound and expanding beyond sun and fun. A new influx of money, investors and customers with international ties could feed local banks' balance sheets and top-line growth.

During a House hearing, marketplace lenders suggested that the U.S. government follow the lead of the U.K., which has set up a separate regulatory regime for the online industry.

Fifth Third Bancorp revised downward its first-quarter profit by 6%, or 2 cents per share, after the Cincinnati company booked a $30 million impairment on aircraft leases.

Top-performing community banks have found different ways to provide double-digit returns, despite numerous challenges facing the banking industry.

Prosper is already offering loans at doctor's offices while Lending Club is testing a device that would allow it to make loans on the spot at car dealerships and other retailers. The efforts highlight the need for marketplace lenders to keep innovating as competition for customers intensifies.

A community development venture in the District of Columbia supported by Citigroup, government officials and local financial institutions has partnered with loan marketplace Biz2Credit to facilitate loans to small businesses.

Companies like OnDeck and Lending Club are under pressure to keep finding new borrowers, but there are signs that customer acquisition costs are rising amid heavier competition.

Lending Club stayed on its fast-growth trajectory in the first quarter, as loan originations and operating revenue more than doubled from the same period a year earlier.

Vincent Delie, CEO of F.N.B., discusses the costs of and difficulty in complying with size-related regulations, his outlook for acquisitions and the Baltimore market.

Western Independent Bankers, a consortium of about 130 community banks in 13 western states, has entered into a deal to use the marketplace lender LendKey to underwrite and service auto loans.

Marketplace lender Social Finance has expanded its education loans to parents of students in 49 states and the District of Columbia.

A step-by-step look at GE Capital's breakup plan and its likely aftermath, including recent comments by bankers who may be looking to buy various parts.

The German bank's massive strategic overhaul will include cutting key businesses and leaving 10 countries, but it plans to invest in the U.S. despite all the regulatory troubles it has had here.

The McLean, Va., credit card lender is offering steep discounts to Uber riders, even though the promotion stands to hurt some of the bank's commercial borrowers.

The sharp decline in oil prices has tempered John Allison's enthusiasm for buying banks in the Lone Star State — or even making loans there.

Hancock Holding in Gulfport, Miss., reported lower profit as low oil prices stymied loan growth in the energy sector.

The growth-minded regional bank is biding its time until rates rise and its M&A deals close by slowing riskier types of lending and diversifying its income sources.

High-profile hits and misses in the first quarter showed the difficulty of finding revenue growth in a period of low interest rates. Some big banks surprised analysts by tapping into fresh revenue streams, while others lost ground.

Consumers should receive the same level of protection whether they choose to do business with a bank or with marketplace lenders and other challengers.