Deposits

Some online banks that offer high-yield savings accounts are making those products a little less high-yielding. Banks are also shortening the duration of new CDs, hoping that anticipated rate cuts by the Fed will enable them to start paying less to consumers.

Based on the pace of deals through late March, the banking industry is on track for the most branch sales since 2021. Buyer interest has mounted alongside the need to acquire deposits, following hits to funding bases last year.

First National has agreed to buy Touchstone Bankshares. The combined company would have more than $500 million each of deposits and loans.

The new team at Dime Community Bancshares intends to attract funding from an array of niche business segments, including medical billing, so-called death care services and hedge funds.

Midsize lenders have largely defied the most dire predictions following Silicon Valley Bank's demise. But the nation's largest banks still have structural advantages, and the regionals remain hampered by their real-estate heavy portfolios and the continuing impact of high interest rates.

During the March 2023 banking crisis, company executives had to calm panicked customers, shore up liquidity and reassure investors after two other regionals failed. Key decisions during a critical seven-day window likely averted disaster.

Ken Vecchione, leader of Western Alliance since 2018, grew up listening to his parents talk business strategy around the dinner table. He called on those lessons and his more than 30 years of experience to steer the regional bank through last year's turmoil.

The Long Island bank plans to balance its loan mix and fix its risk controls. But following a large capital injection led by two former Trump administration officials, the new leadership is asking for more time to formulate its strategy.

Royal Bank of Canada is optimistic that new U.S. leadership, including former Fifth Third CEO Greg Carmichael, can rejuvenate its struggling City National Bank.