Lending momentum is building and tourists have come back, but the coronavirus is a lingering concern for a state that relies heavily on vacationers.

Community banks don’t need to match the biggest banks’ digital offerings or advertising budgets. Where they can compete, and win, is by delivering more personalized service.

These venture capital firms are investing in young companies that could help small financial institutions meet their growing technology needs.

Businesses trying to meet a surge in demand for consumer goods are knocking on community banks' doors to finance expansions.

Building on four years of rapid growth in Dallas, Business First expects the acquisition to help it grow into a regional bank.

The Indiana company told investors that it’s ready to complete its combination with First Midwest Bancorp but that it’s unclear whether a recently filed mortgage discrimination lawsuit will get in the way of Fed approval.

New enlistees typically lack credit histories, so the $1.2 billion-asset lender is using other transaction data to underwrite loans. It's a common practice among large banks and fintechs but rare for a community bank.

Year to date through June 30, 2021. Dollars in thousands.

The lender will take a $21.6 million charge related to damage a customer sustained from Hurricane Ida, leading analysts to predict a major drag on earnings. So far, there is little indication that other banks have been similarly affected.

It took prodding from Husic, Centric's CEO, to convince the bank's lenders to offer Paycheck Protection Program loans to noncustomers. More than 1,200 of those borrowers are now Centric customers.

A leading voice for community banks, Stewart is a past chair of the American Bankers Association and serves on the board of the Seattle branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

The president and CEO of the $350 million-asset Citizens is redefining the role of a community banker.

As part of American Banker's Most Powerful Women in Banking and Finance program, we have selected five "Top Teams" for 2021. Centric Financial is one of the team honorees.

On Jun. 30, 2021. Dollars in thousands.

The Onondaga, New York-based buyer agreed to pay $82.8 million for Elmira Savings Bank.

The company has agreed to buy Fortune Financial, which would give it a toehold in the St. Louis area.

The cash and stock deal, which is expected to close early next year, would nearly triple the number of branches Mississippi-based BancPlus has in the greater New Orleans area.

The Federal Reserve’s efforts to update supervision policy can result in institutions having the flexibility they need to compete with fintechs, according to Gov. Michelle Bowman.

Failures and forced consolidation among smaller institutions could accelerate in 2022 and 2023 once the federal stimulus programs that have propped up the economy run their course, experts predict.

Genesis Bank, the second minority depository institution aimed at multiple demographic groups, says loan demand has far exceeded expectations and that it will seek additional capital to meet the credit of needs Asian, Black and Hispanic consumers in Southern California.