Credit quality

Grand Rapids-based Independent Bank Corp. has agreed to buy HCB Bancorp for $70.2 million — the buyer's first deal since 2017.

During the fourth quarter, the Buffalo, New York-based bank reported its lowest ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans since 2007.

Last year highlighted the risks for banks in lending to nondepository financial institutions. A new approach by Trump-era regulators could change the playing field.

Jerry Plush had helmed the South Florida-based bank for nearly five years before agreeing to depart this week. News of the leadership change comes little more than a week after Amerant reported a 43% increase in nonperforming assets.

Credit analysts say climate risk could still pose a financial threat to financial institutions, even though the federal government has taken an ax to Biden-era climate guidance.

The North Carolina bank is the latest lender impacted by the bankruptcy of U.S. auto parts maker First Brands. First Citizens executives said credit was in good shape overall.

Following a $60 million credit hit, the Salt Lake City bank said that it hasn't found any other related problem loans.

Regional banks say their asset quality is solid amid skittish investors. The KBW Nasdaq Regional Banking Index was largely stable Friday after falling by as much as 7% the day before.

The Cincinnati, Ohio-based bank delivered third-quarter earnings that mostly met expectations, even as it took a $200 million blow to credit.

Zions Bancorp. is among the latest banks to report material losses due to alleged borrower fraud. Stocks of regional lenders plunged on Thursday.

First internet Bancorp, which has recently been grappling with credit quality issues, has agreed to sell an $869 million portfolio of single tenant commercial real estate loans to Blackstone.

Orlando-based Cogent Bank has hired a team to finance single-tenant net lease properties, an asset class characterized by exceptional credit quality.

High interest rates and tough economic conditions played a role in the credit woes that overcame BayFirst Financial's small-dollar lending effort.

A FICO survey shows 33% think exaggerating income on credit applications is acceptable. Ironically, many also prioritize strong fraud prevention from banks.

The Columbus, Ohio-based regional bank also benefited from strong performances by several legacy business lines, including auto, mortgages and SBA lending.

The CEO of First Northwest Bancorp is promising to fight a lawsuit claiming the lender helped a client perpetrate a Ponzi scheme that bilked a hedge fund out of more than $100 million.

Princeton Bancorp, which has $2.3 billion of assets, reported a sizable impairment charge tied to participation loans on a pair of office properties.

Investors seemed to agree with CEO Barry Sloane's argument that strong earnings will outweigh a jump in nonaccrual loans.

BCB Bancorp in Bayonne, New Jersey, swung to an $8.3 million loss in the first quarter due to a troubled cannabis loan. The crowded weed marketplace in the New York area is leading to tighter margins.

Lower credit costs and better expense control helped the San Francisco-based titan offset the impact of lighter-than-expected revenue.