Community banking

The Biden administration could curtail federal support for farmers, even with bankruptcies and requests for loan workouts on the rise. Banks are hoping that increases in crop prices and exports to China could help avert a credit crisis.

Lenders welcomed the move as a helpful first step but are still urging policymakers to develop a broader, simpler process for expediting the approvals of loans extended to troubled small businesses under the Paycheck Protection Program.

Many consumers are taking to the highways and the water for safe getaways during the pandemic — powering one of the few bright spots in lending. However, bankers warn that boomlets usually come with distinctive credit risks.

The move is part of the effort by banks and other companies to promote racial equity and be more sensitive to the stresses on front-line employees.

"It's on-demand capital for us," Optus Bank's CEO says of the payment company's deposit. The funds are part of PayPal's broader effort to confront race and income inequality.

A public-private partnership that has fewer rules and restrictions than the Paycheck Protection Program would save more small businesses.

The coronavirus pandemic has forced some branches to close, but demand for in-person advice remains strong.

Now that its deal with Texas Capital has been called off, Independent Bank in McKinney plans to scale back or exit some commercial lines and will seek to duplicate its retail banking successes in Colorado.

A new Small Business Administration notice explains what steps lenders must take to seek approval of their forgiveness decisions under the Paycheck Protection Program. But lenders say lawmakers and regulators must do more to cut red tape.

The Federal Reserve, U.S. Mint and financial industry representatives are strongly considering a public call for Americans to deposit their spare change, among other fixes, to get coins circulating again. Meanwhile, banks of all sizes are getting creative at the local level.