Peapack-Gladstone Financial CEO Doug Kennedy is betting that giving his workforce the same hospitality training hotel employees receive will lead to better customer service and a healthier bottom line.

In March's roundup of American Banker's favorite stories: How rising interest rates took community banks by surprise, small banks and credit unions react to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, ex-Wells Fargo executive Carrie Tolstedt faces potential jail time and more.

Questions about the durability of community banks' customer bases and funding costs could dominate first-quarter earnings calls following the downfalls of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.

Lenders had started tightening as early as the fourth quarter in anticipation of a possible recession. Now, the banking crisis is driving community and regional banks in particular to hit the brakes harder, stoking renewed recessions fears.

Diversity, equity and inclusion has only grown in importance to the financial services industry over the last few years. For that reason, DEI philosophies are becoming a bigger concern as buyers and sellers try to determine how their corporate cultures might mesh.

The banks invested in bonds at a time when rates were low, and their value has since dropped substantially. While there appears to be very little risk that the banks will ever have to realize the losses, an American Banker data analysis raises questions about whether regulators should toughen their monitoring of interest rate risk.

A reasonable approach to comprehensive credit risk management can protect banks against the impact of a recession while ensuring the industry doesn't contribute to any potential economic volatility.

The combined bank would have more than $8 billion of assets. The acquisition counters a trend of slowed merger activity amid regulatory pressure and an ongoing banking industry crisis.

American Banker is now accepting applications for the Best Banks to Work For 2023 ranking.The registration deadline is May 12.

On top of recession fears and elevated regulatory scrutiny, worry about the banking industry's weakness could delay the approval of mergers such as Toronto-Dominion Bank's pending acquisition of First Horizon.