Regional banks

BBVA Compass in Birmingham, Ala., reported 6% increases in loans and revenue, as strength in consumer loans and credit cards offset weakness in fee income.

The regional bank is roughly a third of the way to the 260 workers needed to staff the 25 branches it plans to open there over two years.

The new asset-based securities lending unit, based in Charlotte, N.C., will provide warehouse lines of credits to nonbank consumer and commercial lenders.

In addition to closing on its largest acquisition to date, the Tulsa, Okla., company reported double-digit growth in energy, health care and commercial real estate loans.

Banks say regulatory relief efforts should go even further, while public interest groups — and even one of the Fed’s regional offices — say the proposals to roll back supervisory standards go too far.

CrediFi helps bankers pursuing commercial real estate loan growth minimize the risk in lending to customers they historically haven't served.

Many bankers say they’re more comfortable with using artificial intelligence behind the scenes, but others — including Synchrony and Wells Fargo — insist AI can be used to interact with customers if it’s deployed properly.

Bigger banks complained that a two-tier system would force them to rethink their models, while smaller banks raised concerns about adding more complexity to an already burdensome process.

Business lending at the 10 largest regionals got a boost from turmoil in the securities markets; hedge funds stand to gain if conservatorship ends.

John Ciulla, one year in as CEO of Webster Financial, discusses how he is preparing for the next downturn, picking his spots in tech spending, and remaining cautious about M&A.