The top 20 banks with assets of $2 billion to $10 billion outshined their peers in loan and revenue growth while maintaining pristine credit quality in 2021, according to a new ranking. Can they do the same this year as recession clouds gather?

The deal comes on top of the company’s previously announced agreement to acquire another Wisconsin bank, Denmark Bancshares.

Somerset Savings Bank will convert to a stock-owned bank before merging with Regal Bancorp, the holding company for the $545 million-asset Regal Bank, also in New Jersey.

The Connecticut bank’s proposed combination with American Challenger Development Corp. was terminated because the two parties didn’t anticipate they could meet the closing conditions. The fintech now says it’s retained Citigroup to explore a possible sale.

NBT Bancorp’s planned $10 million commercial real estate fund could have a big upside for its CRA rating, while also improving housing in its communities.

Data as of Mar. 31, 2022. Dollars in thousands.

Some scrutinize quarterly reports for details that can help better compete against banks. Others are motivated by schadenfreude.

While larger lenders retreat from the sector, SouthWest Bank recruited a new team to lend to drillers.

Almost 100% of small-bank executives who responded to a recent IntraFi survey say they expect the U.S. economy to fall into a recession by next year. The top reason why: an overcorrection by the Federal Reserve as the central bank tries to tame inflation.

Anne Balcer, formerly of Forbright Bank, will take on the role previously held by Karen Thomas, whose retirement was announced last month.