Middle market

Citizens Financial is going out of market to find midsize businesses in need of credit or advisory services in uncertain times. It is a good example of the resiliency that regional banks are showing amid softer loan demand, Washington gridlock and still-low interest rates.

The largest U.S. bank’s yearslong effort to do more business with midsize commercial firms has progressed in fits and starts but never met expectations. More patience will be required, but executives say the payoff could be sooner rather than later.