Practice management

The third-largest Canadian bank's proposed minority stake in KeyCorp is an unconventional way to generate more U.S. revenue. Analysts say it's a less risky approach than buying an American bank outright.

In a sea of generically named "First Banks of X" and "Community Banks of Y," financial institutions must decide if the painstaking rebranding process is worth the investment and risk to stand out.

Industry Bancshares got into a deep hole after rising interest rates tanked the value of its sizable bond portfolio. Now the Texas community bank is expecting a $195 million capital infusion and taking steps to start relying more on revenue from loans.

The military-focused company, which operates an insurer and a $111.7 billion-asset bank, has tangled with regulators during Wayne Peacock's tenure. He will retire in the first half of 2025.

Regulators have been working their way steadily down from the biggest players in the industry to regional firms in their quest to stamp out abuses of "off-channel" communications.

A new government effort intends to tackle unfriendly consumer practices. The CFPB is tasked with addressing chatbot misuse and customer service "doom loops."

Though it hasn't set a timeline, Oxford Bank, based north of the Motor City, is weighing a southward expansion that would add all the Detroit metropolitan area to its footprint.