Small business lending

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.

The Utah company has similar arrangements with Staples, GoDaddy and LegalZoom.

Customers were previously required to provide access to their accounting software, but now they can connect a business bank account instead.

Bill would replace much of Dodd-Frank but is unlikely to become law; online retailer is expected to expand Amazon Lending program to small businesses in the U.S., U.K. and Japan.

Bay Area CU launches Business Banking Division to increase, diversify loan portfolio.

A Nebraska banking veteran put up $1 million of her own money to create a microlending program that doesn't require business owners to provide traditional collateral.

From digital lending solutions for U.S. community banks to Sharia-compliant finance in Africa

First Savings Financial in Indiana and Dime Community in New York are keen on making more SBA loans as a way to diversify revenue and generate fees through loan sales.

Numerated Growth Technologies has a platform that lets banks make lending decisions in as little as five minutes. The spinoff will be run by Dan O'Malley, Eastern's former chief digital officer.

The good news: SBA lending is going gangbusters and business owners are optimistic about growth prospects and their ability to access credit. The not-so-good news: Many firms are still not particularly interested in borrowing and startups are not the engines of job creation they once were.

Noah Breslow, who drew opposition from a hedge fund that wants the online small-business lender to pursue a new course, won 84% of the vote Tuesday.