Small business lending

Readers weigh in on a proposal to ease the leverage ratio, how post-crisis regulations have influenced lending, a CFPB overdraft fee study, and more.

JPMorgan CEO Dimon says banks are putting Silicon Valley to shame … in terms of diversity; Uber’s plan to replace its CEO with a woman seems to be sputtering; and Yellen’s potential successors also are all men.

The largest banks are approving small-business loan applications at the fastest rate since the recession, a sign that that they are willing to assume more risk and taking seriously the threat of competition from online lenders.

As banks press for deregulation, the debate over whether high bank capital standards are inhibiting loan growth has taken center stage.

Young businesses often prefer banks, especially community banks, over online lenders. However, traditional lenders need to make quicker decisions, simplify the application process and make other improvements, these customers say.

The online lender said it is on track to hit its goal of becoming profitable by yearend. It also extended a partnership agreement with JPMorgan Chase.

The online lending platform Kabbage announced Thursday it has raised $250 million from the Japanese telecom giant SoftBank, marking its largest equity fundraising round to date.

Efforts to repeal a Dodd-Frank mandate for lenders to report data on small-business applicants — including race and ethnicity — overlook the benefits of the provision to both communities of color and banks.

CircleUp is offering lines of credit to early-stage consumer brands, which can often only get financing at high interest rates.

Small-business customers of Bank of America can now apply for credit through the bank’s digital channels.

First Home Bank raised nearly 20% more than it sought from investors, providing proof that Florida — especially the Tampa Bay area — is a hotbed of activity.

The Pittsburgh bank is developing new products, simplifying old ones and modernizing its workplace based on detailed feedback from consumers, small businesses and employees in an attempt to create a bank they all like better.

The subprime business lender halted new business and laid off scores of employees after recording higher-than-expected losses.

Green Bancorp has pivoted from the troubled energy-lending market to SBA loans, which are appealing to more small banks because they can be sold at a premium and are getting more support from Washington.

The addition of Sean Glithero as CFO is one of several new hires by the online small-business lender.

The online small-business lender has also announced the hiring of a new U.S. head of capital markets.

A headquarters move to Boston, a core system with plenty of headroom and a CEO who admires big acquirers like M&T and the old Banknorth: All the signs are there of an ambitious bank with a plan.

Tim Welsh will succeed Kent Stone, who is retiring. In his new role, Welsh will oversee the bank’s overall consumer and small-business strategy, as well as digital activities.

The New York firm, which offers high-cost credit to small businesses, has attributed its recent struggles to certain loans performing worse than had been expected.

JPMorgan Chase’s partnership with OnDeck Capital was expected to augur a wave of similar agreements between banks and online business lenders. But so far, most banks have avoided joining forces with companies they also view as competitors.