Speaking at an investor conference Wednesday, John Turner said that sellers’ asking prices are too high and that Regions would prefer to buy a nonbank that could help boost fee income.

Big-bank execs downplayed gloomy economic forecasts and said a commercial lending rally, niche M&A and smart tech spending will drive growth in 2019.

The online lender has acquired NextGenVest, which uses AI and text messaging to advise high school and college students about getting loans. CommonBond’s goal is to better understand the distinctly different demographic group rising behind millennials.

The company, which helps banks develop high-tech products and services, has agreed to buy Gro Solutions after recently completing its deal for Cloud Lending.

Citizens Community Bancorp is selling its Rochester Hills, Mich., office to Lake Michigan Credit Union.

Its bid for El Dorado Savings wasn’t the highest, but PacWest's image as a skilled dealmaker added value to its offer in the seller’s eyes.

Building alliances with startups is the most affordable route for community banks that want to offer innovative services, but industry officials cautioned that they must be balanced with smart internal investments, too.

Faciam Holdings will pay nearly $68 million for Summit Bancshares.

A meticulous approach to expansion, along with an ability to produce solid results while based in a slow-growth state, explains why Hageboeck is a Best in Banking honoree.

The purchase of Michigan-based Compliance Systems Inc. is intended to better help credit unions stay on top of regulatory changes.

The company will pay $64 million in cash and stock for First Beeville Financial.

Through timely investments, opportunistic dealmaking and a laser focus on employee engagement, Turner has Wilmington, Del.-based WSFS on the cusp of becoming a regional power.

The Connecticut regional bank will pay $327 million for the parent of Belmont Savings Bank.

State Bank’s Evans started off his banking career by offering cold cans of soda to farmers in the field in the hopes of earning their business. Five decades on, he's widely known in banking circles for his prowess in building high-performing community banks and selling them for top dollar.

Nearly all banks need more fee income, and many have extra cash for investing in growth. Some have started buying up wealth management firms, while others have decided to pare back and specialize.

John Corbett has known the leaders of National Commerce since he helped launch CenterState in 1999. It’s a big reason CenterState is breaking from tradition to hire those executives once it buys the Alabama bank.

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.

The Florida company will have more than $16 billion in assets, along with increased scale in Georgia, when it buys National Commerce.

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.

City of Boston Credit Union also expanded its field of members earlier this year. The moves are part of a long-term growth strategy to remain competitive.