Community banks

Demand has soared for mental health services as bank employees put in long hours, supervise kids while working at home and endure personal crises. Citi, BofA, Fifth Third and others are getting creative to help them decompress during the pandemic.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency watered down numeric metrics that some groups blasted and allowed more institutions to opt out of the new regime. But whether the agency has won over any detractors remains to be seen.

The sellers will continue to service the loans and retain the fees they receive from the Small Business Administration.

The final regulation will significantly revise a December proposal, responding to concerns from stakeholders. Meanwhile, in a surprising move, the regulator who had championed the reforms is expected to resign this week.

Mike Maddox will succeed George Jones on June 1.

Nicolet Bankshares said its lagging stock price would complicate efforts to complete its planned purchase of Commerce Financial.

The order's removal allows the Delaware company to pursue more opportunities in its payments business.

Bracing for a prolonged economic slowdown, many community bankers say they are considering a number of belt-tightening measures, including freezing salaries and delaying investments in technology and product development, according to a survey by Promontory Interfinancial Group.

Often overlooked in narratives about essential workers, branch and call-center employees are responding to challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis. They’ve processed emergency-relief loans late into the night, coached customers unfamiliar with mobile banking and made house calls to elderly account holders.

The Independent Community Bankers of America accused the National Credit Union Administration of using the coronavirus outbreak to usher in additional changes without the normal amount of scrutiny.