Investments

Activists are pressuring banks involved in financing the controversial Dakota Access pipeline to abandon the project. If banks remain committed, they risk alienating customers, but divestment could set a bad precedent.

Some banks are looking to hire advisers or buy firms, while others are looking to get out of the business entirely.

Trust and transparency can be strengthened and like-minded borrowers and banks can be brought together if transactions are “tagged” and investments are explained, argues Bruce Cahan, adjunct professor at Stanford University.

Elizabeth Warren getting shushed on the Senate floor gives her a much bigger (and wildly enthusiastic) audience for her message; ETFs set an example in female leadership for all of financial services; and more.

In a white paper published Thursday morning, the consulting firm Federal Financial Analytics warns that President Trump’s protectionist attitudes toward the manufacturing and industrial sectors may usher in a new era of uncertainty for the financial services industry.

Oaktree and Thomas H. Lee will still have large positions in the company after the planned sales.

Westpac in has been aggressive in supporting and adopting emerging merchant and payment technology in Australia.

The French company will still have a majority stake after selling 25 million shares.

Wendell Bontrager, formerly a regional president at Old National, will oversee operations, lending at strategy at Equity.

The Lompoc, Calif.-based CU is building a new main office in Santa Maria, Calif., after topping the $1 billion mark.