The president-elect's history of deregulatory financial services policies could offer some benefits to minority businesses and consumers, but the more likely outcome is reduced access to capital and higher costs.

Banks can and should play a key role in giving members of minority groups and other underserved communities the tools they need to navigate an increasingly complicated financial landscape.

The custody bank achieved its goal for the amount of deposits it placed into minority banks and community development financial institutions by the end of the year.

Cross-border person-to-person payments are vital to the survival of millions of vulnerable people. Right now, fees eat away at their money, and slow processing times create unnecessary stress. The financial services industry and partners in government can fix this problem.

The Georgia-based bank plans to hire 85 relationship managers over the next three years to support growth in commercial and middle-market lending and private wealth. "The biggest risk is not being able to hire the bankers," said CEO Kevin Blair.

Banks will feel the fallout from a court's decision to strike down a Nasdaq rule that would have mandated more disclosure about the racial and gender composition of corporate boards.

A close result was complicated by an hour-long adjournment of the New York-based company's annual meeting that angered dissident investors and left them mulling legal action.

Workers in the bank's conduct management intake group joined colleagues at 23 Wells Fargo branches in approving a union.

The unionization push by members of the bank's conduct management intake team has been hotly contested. If approved, it would represent a landmark in the effort to organize workers at the $1.9 trillion-asset bank.

Several companies filled leadership posts throughout the country, including Clarion County Community Bank's hiring of Travis Heiser to become its CEO.