Branches in the Gulf Coast region largely avoided massive flooding. Now bankers must assess the impact on employees and customers.

With the USPS emerging as an election-year flashpoint, postal banking is an idea that could gain steam. But a number of proposals are out there, and they have wildly varying implications for financial inclusion.

The agencies completed steps to ease a community bank capital measure temporarily and to delay a new credit-loss accounting standard.

The Los Angeles company will remain a community development financial institution when it acquires the parent of City First Bank in Washington.

"It's on-demand capital for us," Optus Bank's CEO says of the payment company's deposit. The funds are part of PayPal's broader effort to confront race and income inequality.

If the U.S. Postal Service can hold talks with big banks, like JPMorgan Chase, about offering financial services in post offices, then it could easily strike up similar conversations with credit unions.

"It's on-demand capital for us," Optus Bank's CEO says of the payment company's deposit. The funds are part of PayPal's broader effort to confront race and income inequality.

The product, which is also aimed at community banks, includes a "take-back" option that allows consumers to withdraw extra funds they've paid that go beyond their monthly scheduled mortgage payment.

Whether the number of deals for 2020 can come close to last year's record-setting level will come down to one question: Can community banks generate strong enough profits in the second half to justify their independence?

Social distancing and other pandemic-related measures are making it harder for banks in the Gulf region to rely on tried-and-true contingencies.

The St. Louis company is gaining a sizable Small Business Administration platform and several niche deposit teams. Keeping those specialists in the fold will be key to the acquisition's success.

If the U.S. Postal Service can hold talks with big banks, like JPMorgan Chase, about offering financial services in post offices, then it could easily strike up similar conversations with credit unions.

Executives and boards are bracing for elevated loan losses and stagnant revenue, which will mean more conversations about belt tightening as opposed to added investment.

USAL Bancorp will have nearly $300 million in assets after it buys Escambia County Bank.

The company will pay $156 million for a bank with a large Small Business Administration lending platform.

The Missouri company 's deal for Clifford Bancshares is set to close later this year.

The Dallas regional is placing deposits in several minority depository institutions, providing each with low-cost funds that can be redeployed in underserved communities.

With big banks largely shunning the program, small banks see an opening to grab more market share in commercial lending.

The deal for Our Community Bank comes two months after Crane agreed to acquire Community State Bank of Southwestern Indiana.

Crane Credit Union's deal for Our Community Bank comes two months after it agreed to acquire Community State Bank of Southwestern Indiana.