Financial institutions

U.S. earnings climbed 44% from a year earlier, aided by lower taxes, a widening net interest margin, record contributions from its stake in TD Ameritrade.

The Bridgeport, Conn., company is developing a specialty in banking technology businesses. Like so many other small regionals with ambitious growth plans, it faces a tricky balancing act: how to take creative risks without getting in over its head.

Just as a recent law softened Dodd-Frank resolution plan requirements, the head of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. announced an effort to ease such rules for depository institutions.

Technology is often cited as the leg up large banks have in winning over customers, but regionals are worried about the “billions and billions” bigger rivals can pour into ubiquitous ad campaigns.

Zack Bishop has experience in blending the systems of merged banks, according to Synovus, which this summer announced its first whole-bank deal in more than a decade.

Nexos National Bank would be led by Gordon Baird, a former Citi executive. A former New York banking commissioner is set to join the proposed bank's board.

His knack for public policy, dedication to technological improvements once considered the province of big banks, and willingness to tear up a business model that he and his father built make him our top Best in Banking honoree.

Scott Custer is set to become chairman of Dogwood State Bank, a proposed North Carolina de novo.

Bank groups are pushing a variety of proposals to delay the loan-loss rule or soften its impact. The accounting standards board has agreed to review at least one of them — but at a pace that might not be fast enough for lenders.

Christopher Kay will oversee the Buffalo, N.Y., bank's branch and ATM networks as well as development of products and services that seek to mimic the cutting-edge offerings of other industries.