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?

State Bankshares in North Dakota was the top performer in the $2 billion to $10 billion asset class in 2021, according to Capital Performance Group. Strong commercial lending, a national mortgage business as well as regional wealth management and insurance units offer diverse sources of growth, a company executive says.

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.

The Nashville bank has recruited a veteran commercial lender in Asheville who had worked with First Horizon, and it has hired four more bankers in Chattanooga.

Spiking interest rates, increased regulatory scrutiny, and mounting recession fears have all contributed to a deceleration in mergers in 2022.

The Philadelphia bank's board acted fast to fill a vacant board seat after a recent court victory, ending a deadlock that kept Hill's position secure.

The latest development removes a custodian that had been appointed to the Philadelphia bank's board, where a vacancy created an opportunity for multiple factions to try to wrest control from CEO Vernon Hill.

When Walden Mutual opens this year, it will end a decades-long dry spell for de novos owned and governed by depositors.

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

The fast-paced rise in rates should be good for banks — until it isn't. The higher interest earned on loan payments will at some point be offset by higher interest paid on deposits. The only questions are: When, and by how much?

Community development financial institutions will receive low-interest loans from Bank of America and use that money to fund the development of primary health care centers in communities of color and rural areas.

It took 100 years, but St. Landry Homestead Federal Savings Bank decided on a drastic name change — to Catalyst Bank — to end confusion with a local rival and signal its loftier aspirations.