Industries

On Sep. 30, 2019. Dollars in thousands.

The timing couldn’t be worse for ag and energy lenders as well as global banks, which were all counting on the Chinese market to help bolster commercial lending and fee income.

Reduced dine-in traffic is eating away at bottom lines, forcing eateries to rethink how they borrow money.

Certain loan segments are showing signs of deterioration, but consumer lending and digital banking are bright spots. Meanwhile, bankers are eyeing opportunities to improve efficiency, add scale and take advantage of M&A disruption. Here's what to expect from smaller regionals in the year ahead.

The industry faces still competition for attention in Washington this week, but matters related to credit unions are still being discussed.

After maintaining a $250,000 exemption threshold for real estate appraisals for nearly 20 years, the National Credit Union Administration is set to raise that limit to $400,000.

Slowing sales, decreasing market share and other factors could make it harder for credit unions to grow one of the industry's biggest products in the year ahead.

To guard against headwinds in the agricultural sector, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. recommended that institutions consider the “overall financial status” of farm loan borrowers.

Lawmakers are close to solving one of the financial services industry's biggest headaches. It's in the public's interest for them to do so.

The pot banking bill is a long shot after recent criticism by the Senate Banking chairman, but some groups are trying a new argument in a last-ditch effort to sway lawmakers.

The pot banking bill is a long shot after recent criticism by the Senate Banking chairman, but bankers are trying a new argument in a last-ditch effort to sway lawmakers.

As more consumers order in using such services as Uber Eats and Grubhub, restaurants are selling fewer desserts, drinks and other high-margin items, said CEO Rajinder Singh.

The Dallas bank’s troubled energy loans reached a nearly two-year high as crude prices plummeted.

Former CFPB Director Richard Cordray and consumer advocates have designed a proposed state consumer agency that would subject more financial firms and fintechs to state oversight.

Former CFPB Director Richard Cordray and consumer advocates have designed a proposed state consumer agency that would subject more financial firms and fintechs to state oversight.

Even in the face of soft loan demand, banks in the region have held firm on terms. That should position them well for the next economic downturn.

Population shifts and the explosion of e-commerce will upend commercial real estate lending while heightened demand for clean energy, not to mention pressure from investors, will diminish banks’ enthusiasm for fossil-fuel financing.

The SAFE Banking Act is on hold after Sen. Mike Crapo announced his opposition to it. One observer suggested that could have a "chilling effect" on CUs looking to enter the pot banking space.

While his focus is on organic growth in Texas and California, Curt Farmer says he would consider a deal in those states if the right one comes along.

With loan volumes slowing across the industry, some say a focus on loans for renewable energy could be one way for credit unions to pick up some of the slack.