There is a major opportunity out there, especially for community banks, to displace predatory lenders and earn a healthy return at the same time. It's just a question of making the leap.

Kelly Loeffer would lead an agency that is critically important to community banks, which make tens of billions of dollars in loans annually under its largest loan program.

Donald Felix, who spent a quarter century at some of the nation's largest banks, took the helm at Carver Bancorp last month. Felix is devising a plan to return the 76-year-old Black-managed company to profitability.

Primis Financial had to delay several reports to the SEC due to an accounting misclassification error, which raised the possibility that the bank's stock would no longer trade on Nasdaq. Executives say they're "optimistic about putting this behind us."

The Greenville, South Carolina-based company said it would pay $80 million in stock to acquire ANB Holdings and its Miami-area bank.

The Delaware-based bank filed a complaint against two companies that built a WSFS logo display in downtown Philadelphia. Part of the signage eventually broke off in what the bank called an "almost-tragedy."

Several companies filled leadership posts throughout the country, including Clarion County Community Bank's hiring of Travis Heiser to become its CEO.

The Boca Raton, Florida company is seeking to attract deposits with a product that more closely resembles the strategy many fintechs typically employ.

"Too big to fail" banking giants like to masquerade as community banks when it suits their purposes, but they will never be able to replace real, local bankers with deep ties to their customers.

The Sandy, Utah-based credit union opted to part with its two New Mexico branches to focus on other geographies. At least one expert expects an uptick in branch sales as more credit unions seek to "right-size" their networks.

Median growth among small U.S. lenders was 1.2% for the third quarter. Bankers are hoping lower interest rates will boost demand, but borrowers aren't jumping.

St. Paul, Minnesota-based Bremer Financial agreed to sell for $1.4 billion in cash and stock. It followed a yearslong legal battle between the bank and its largest shareholder that ended with a settlement this year.

The top five community banks averaged a return on average assets of 6.27% as of June 30.

The Columbus, Ohio-based regional launched Lift Local Business in October 2020 with a $25 million ceiling. Four years and $133 million later, the program is still going strong.

Analysts say lenders' shares could rally on deregulation, lighter tax burdens and a resurgence of M&A. Declining interest rates and lower loan losses could further bolster bottom lines and attract investor interest.

The Federal Reserve issued an enforcement action against the former head of Heartland Tri-State Bank, who embezzled millions of dollars after falling victim to a crypto scam.

As banks continue investing in technology to boost productivity, they aren't losing sight of their call centers' human sides. Even as AI grows in importance, agents are more important than ever

Lower borrowing costs, reduced exposure to the urban office sector and flattening vacancy rates could collectively save lenders from beleaguered corners of the commercial real estate market.

Some lenders are once again hiring mortgage lenders, but memories of the painful staffing cuts they were forced to make over the past two years remain top of mind.

Agriculture lenders expect more than a third of their borrowers to lose money this year, a development that could result in credit quality deterioration and impacts on banks' bottom lines.