Commercial lending

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.

Some banks appear to be aggressively pursuing loan growth at the expense of profits these days. But banks like M&T and Westamerica say they are slowing things down, hoping the caution will translate into better credit quality in the long run.

Californians are entering the fourth year of drought, forcing bankers to seriously consider the long-term implications for farmers and other industries. In some instances, banks are reviewing and changing underwriting practices to address risk.

The high-flying sector is primed for a correction, industry leaders said this week. Declining credit standards are one of the top concerns.

Home BancShares in Conway, Ark., reported higher first-quarter profit and assets after it acquired branches and loans from the failed Doral Bank in Puerto Rico.

First-quarter results from U.S. Bancorp and PNC Financial Services Group shows banks have little choice but to wait until the Fed raises interest rates. They have cut expenses almost as far as they can go, and fee income is limited in how much it can offset narrower spread income.

Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, who sits on Lending Club's board, said in a speech Wednesday that such technology-focused marketplace lenders should be given a fair chance to compete.

The San Francisco bank has produced enough growth in mortgages, C&I and other areas and made other moves to offset low rates. It is a hopeful example for mortgage-heavy banks and other lenders battling tight margins.

JPMorgan Chase reported strong loan growth and higher utilization in its commercial banking unit, which serves midsize businesses. It could set the stage for others to report similar results. Still, low interest rates are muffling the benefits.

Pinnacle Financial Partners has struck its first deal in nearly eight years, and it has the capacity to do more as it seeks to double its assets in Tennessee. But CEO Terry Turner says it is more likely to grow organically because there aren't many banks left in the state that he would want to buy.

Environmentalists scored a big victory with PNC's decision to reduce its exposure to mountaintop-removal coal mining, which they say causes environmental destruction and health problems. Now they plan to turn their attention to other banks.