Commercial real estate lending

Demand for commercial loans surged in the fourth quarter and executives at the Buffalo company see the momentum continuing in the new year.

Consumer lending should also be a bright spot, while mortgage lending could be suppressed by rising rates and tight housing supplies.

Richard Harra was also fined $300,000 for painting a false picture of the bank’s financial health at the height of the financial crisis.

His knack for public policy, dedication to technological improvements once considered the province of big banks, and willingness to tear up a business model that he and his father built make him our top Best in Banking honoree.

The move allows the New York multifamily lender to make more loans without having to raise capital.

Tepid loan and deposit growth has been a persistent theme in 2018, but that could soon change for community and regional banks in the New York and Washington markets.

Federal "Opportunity Zones" that reduce exposure on capital gains could draw rich investors — and commercial lenders along with them — into economic development projects in thousands of troubled communities around the country.

On Jun. 30, 2018. Dollars in thousands.

The Columbus, Ga., company ramped up its business and consumer lending even as it scaled back lending on construction and commercial real estate projects.

Brian Johnson, the agency’s second-in-command, wields much power; Fair Isaac is planning changes to credit scoring to boost approvals.