The removal of costly appraisal requirements on tens of thousands of smaller commercial properties could help community banks better compete for loans they say they have been losing to nonbank lenders.

Preferred Bank's experience with an apartment developer is a reminder of how important strict underwriting terms will be as loan demand increases, rates rise and lenders try to outdo each other.

The northern Virginia company will also gain more branches around Washington as part of the $33 million deal.

A bank that can deliver a loan decision a little faster, or ask a client to input information just once, could get a leg up on the competition. But some executives are skeptical of software sales pitches and fear overpaying.

Leader Bank says it can land property managers as commercial clients by helping them handle tenant deposits — and possibly create opportunities to boost CRE lending.

A New Jersey community bank has launched a campaign that takes digs at the megabank while highlighting its own values. Should others follow its lead?

Though the prospects for these small banks look good in 2018, they also face serious challenges, particularly in the competition for low-cost deposits against the more digitally savvy megabanks.

Christopher Bergstrom led Cardinal Financial when it sold itself to United Bankshares in 2017.

Retaining experienced and competent employees is a crucial but often overlooked strategy for improving bank performance.

Dollar Bank has applied to form a mutual holding company as it nears a key regulatory threshold.

Green Apple Bank & Trust, which recently filed an application with regulators, plans to open in the western part of the state by the end of this year.

The serial acquirer is buying Delaware Place Bank, which is less than 1% of its size.

It might make sense to scrap a decades-old name, especially for banks with aggressive growth plans.

Camden Fine, the president of the Independent Community Bankers of America, is due to retire this week. We talk with him about his long career — and his fears for the future of his industry.

Domenick & Associates also specializes in serving social service organizations.

The Michigan bank hopes conversational technology can get customers to talk more freely about their financial health.

Because of the Durbin amendment, the once-prized asset has become an albatross. Spinning it off will remove a distraction and let management refocus on business banking.

The Federal Savings Bank has been under a spotlight since it was revealed that it provided $16 million in mortgages to onetime Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort.

Boiling Springs Savings Bank said James Nesci, formerly of TD Bank, will manage its operations and create a strategic plan.

The $350 million acquisition is among the biggest bank mergers announced so far this year.