Santander, Webster lay out post-deal management plan

The banks tapped executives to lead retail, commercial and digital banking in moves announced Monday. However, Openbank chief Swati Bhatia will leave Santander on June 30.

By Dan Ennis • April 8, 2026

SMBC to add 2,000 jobs in Charlotte

The Japanese bank aims to open a second U.S. headquarters in the North Carolina banking boomtown.

By Gabrielle Saulsbery • April 8, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Banking Dive

Amid a swell of activity, financial institutions large and small are leaning into their aspirations. For PNC, it’s scale. For some fintechs, it’s a charter. For Millbury National Bank, it may simply be niceness.

By Banking Dive staff

JPMorgan’s Dimon bemoans parts of Basel, G-SIB proposals

While the bank CEO backs a “timely finalization” of the proposals, the latest iterations “are still very flawed in a few specific areas,” Jamie Dimon wrote in his annual letter to shareholders.

By Caitlin Mullen • April 6, 2026

FNB CEO bets on smaller-bank innovation

“The future’s going to lead to smaller banks coming out with some very innovative tools that the larger banks miss,” the chief executive of the $50 billion-asset lender predicted.

By Caitlin Mullen • April 3, 2026

Bank of Hope to buy SMBC commercial unit

The Los Angeles-based lender will acquire $2.5 billion in commercial and commercial real estate loans and $2.7 billion in deposits, as well as eight branches in Southern California.

By Caitlin Mullen • April 1, 2026

NC’s Fidelity Bank to get Atlanta foothold with $142.8M Affinity deal

The acquisition, set to close in the third quarter, will create a $5.5 billion-asset institution and give Georgia’s Affinity Bank a landing spot after a previous tie-up with a credit union was terminated.

By Dan Ennis • April 1, 2026

Anti-union push grows at Wells Fargo

The length of time it’s taking the bank and union representatives to negotiate a contract is “likely a factor” in the decertification efforts, a union-involved employee said.

By Gabrielle Saulsbery • March 31, 2026

JPMorgan aims to boost small-business lending in ‘American Dream’ plan

The bank intends to hire 1,000 more small-business bankers, support home and healthcare affordability efforts, and focus on high-growth areas such as Alabama in a 10-year initiative.

By Dan Ennis • March 31, 2026

BMO eyes top-5 commercial bank status with California push

The lender is betting on its U.S. commercial bank’s unified model, increased banker headcount and product enhancements to fuel growth, an executive said.

By Caitlin Mullen • March 31, 2026

U.S. Bank names next COO

Toby Clements, who will succeed the retiring Souheil Badran, “is a strong, engaging leader who has a clear desire to serve our clients and run our business effectively,” said the Minneapolis-based lender’s CEO, Gunjan Kedia.

By Gabrielle Saulsbery • March 30, 2026

Citizens’ Coughlin talks ‘overwhelming’ pace of AI change

As the lender uses AI to reshape operations through its Reimagine the Bank program, “the nimbleness around it has been pretty intense,” President Brendan Coughlin said.

By Caitlin Mullen • March 27, 2026

Bank of America courts business clients in market-share push

To drive new client relationships in 50-some markets, BofA is hiring bankers and cultivating local connections, said Sharon Miller, the lender’s president of business banking.

By Caitlin Mullen • March 26, 2026

Minnesota bank bolsters C-suite with Climate First alums

B2 Bank, owned by fintech entrepreneur Brian Barnes, named a new CEO, president and credit chief – all from Florida’s Climate First Bank – as the lender pursues a national digital banking strategy.

By Dan Ennis • March 25, 2026

VALT Bank gets conditional OCC charter

The bank must raise $25 million prior to opening and maintain a 9% tier 1 leverage ratio for its first three years thereafter.

By Gabrielle Saulsbery • March 25, 2026

Activist investor takes its EagleBank fight public

Diligence Capital Management has pushed the embattled lender to develop a performance improvement plan and replace three board members. Progress stalled after the bank’s CEO stepped down, the investor said.

By Dan Ennis • March 24, 2026

Choosing the right financial products starts with behavior, not volume

Financial institutions face constant pressure to expand their product suite. But recent data suggests the answer isn’t more products, it’s better alignment.

By Albert Kang, CRO of InvestiFi • March 23, 2026

Michigan banks Independent, Highpoint to combine in $70.2M deal

Independent’s first acquisition since 2018 will bolster the bank’s footprint in the “high-growth corridor” between Grand Rapids and Lansing, the lender said.

By Dan Ennis • March 20, 2026

Ex-CFO of Nebraska lender convicted of bank fraud

In 2021, while he was CFO of Bank of the Valley, Aaron Luneke submitted fraudulent contractor invoices and obtained bank loans totaling $4.3 million, the Justice Department said.

By Caitlin Mullen • March 19, 2026

JPMorgan to add 300-plus Boston jobs

The new hires and several hundred others will take up residence in the newly constructed South Station Tower in early 2028. Additionally, eight Chase branches will open in Massachusetts this year.

By Gabrielle Saulsbery • March 17, 2026

BMO to add 145 branches in California, Arizona

The bank is betting on an expanded physical presence in “high-growth communities” in the western states, after agreeing last year to sell nearly as many branches to First Citizens.

By Caitlin Mullen • March 17, 2026

NY’s Esquire Bank makes $348.4M Chicago push

The bank’s holding company will acquire Illinois-based Signature Bancorporation in a move that will boost Esquire’s Midwest commercial-banking and real estate profile and diversify its earnings.

By Dan Ennis • March 12, 2026

Wells Fargo chases lead bank role for middle-market clients

The lender is refining its products and hiring to cater to lower and upper middle-market companies, a commercial bank executive said.

By Caitlin Mullen • March 10, 2026

Western Alliance sues Jefferies over unpaid debt tied to First Brands

The Phoenix, Arizona-based lender’s CEO called the investment bank’s decision to cease payments “shocking.” Jefferies said the bank’s lawsuit is “without merit.” 

By Caitlin Mullen • March 6, 2026

Ohio bank taps next CEO

Civista Bank, which recently acquired in-state peer The Farmers Savings Bank, will promote its president, Chuck Parcher, to CEO when Dennis Shaffer exits in August.

By Caitlin Mullen • March 3, 2026

JPMorgan, Barclays, Fifth Third sued over Tricolor

Asset-backed securities investors accused the banks of ignoring “giant red flags” about the bankrupt subprime auto lender and “enabling” its “massive fraud.”

By Caitlin Mullen • March 2, 2026