Economy

James Smith, who recently completed his gradual transition out of banking, was spearheading a public-private economic development plan for Connecticut when the coronavirus pandemic hit. The crisis made the need for the plan greater — and the job harder.

A unit of the Huntsville, Ala.-based institution has acquired Ben Porter Realty and rebranded the company as Redstone Family Realty.

Bankers have become more uncertain about how to serve marijuana businesses owing to confusion about which states deem them essential.

The demonstrations following George Floyd's death in police custody are forcing the industry to grapple with how it can — or if it should —advocate for equality and better race relations.

Dramatic volatility in the global oil market, plummeting demand and potential regulatory risks are making some banks rethink their energy strategy.

The veteran banker will serve as chief administrative officer, with responsibilities that include strengthening Citi’s data architecture, creating greater consistency in its dealings with regulators and enhancing its efforts to combat money laundering.

Recent steps that would help nonbank lenders enter the traditional banking system, like a proposal clarifying the industrial loan company charter, are needed but face strong opposition.

The mobile bank raised $241 million in its Series D round of funding, and expects to receive approval from regulators to become a nationally chartered bank this summer.

Automation and technology allow lenders to handle an evolving situation that changes by the day: adjustments are easily made to terms, timing and required data for loan forgiveness, says PayNet’s William Phelan.

Tyrie has advanced Bank of America’s virtual assistant Erica and rolled out easier-to-use digital products that resonate strongly with customers. Those achievements have earned him recognition as one of American Banker’s digital bankers of the year.

The program is intended to aid businesses hit hard by pandemic-induced lockdowns, but lenders are lobbying to have the rules relaxed to help owners of stores and offices damaged by recent riots and looting.

The new product, which comes as an earlier partnership with the online lender Kabbage is sputtering, figures to appeal to companies with tight cash flows.

New technologies can provide recommendations and proactively engage with customers and members to help them pay their bills or pay friends and proactively manage their financial well-being, says Payrailz's Mickey Goldwasser.

The Georgia company said the agency is looking at its policies for paying, or withholding, Paycheck Protection Program fees to borrowers' agents.

With no way of knowing just how many borrowers will need the mods after the coronavirus forbearance period ends, lenders are deploying artificial intelligence and servicing protocols to tame the ferocious piles of paperwork awaiting them.

Loan volumes were already slowing before the pandemic. New restrictions and changes in consumer behavior are likely to make growth in this portfolio even harder.

While open banking is a fascinating movement poised to benefit consumers and spark significant innovation in financial services, the world must weigh convenience vs. risk and approach the inherent privacy and security concerns with caution, says Imperva's Terry Ray.

Many of the cultural changes instituted by Hisham Salama, one of American Banker’s 2020 digital bankers of the year, have led to a more agile tech team and higher customer satisfaction scores.

The agency is trying to get small lenders to help underserved businesses get the loans; although the British government is guaranteeing small-business loans, banks are required to collect on delinquents.

How a twentysomething marketing entrepreneur helped transform a small community development financial institution into a digital leader.