How banks can support small businesses amid uncertainty

In an environment of persistent economic unease, banks have a unique opportunity to help small businesses, Sekou Kaalund, U.S. Bank’s head of branch and small business banking, said at American Banker’s 2025 Small Business Banking conference.

Amalgamated says profits are ‘best answer’ to political risk

The New York-based bank, which works with many Democratic campaigns, faces investor concerns that it might be targeted by the Trump administration. CEO Priscilla Sims Brown says the bank’s “strong profitability” is its best shield from political threats.

Mastercard-PayPal agentic AI pact shakes up e-commerce

In an expanded partnership announced Monday, the card network and payment fintech will enable hundreds of millions of consumers and tens of millions of merchants to use new forms of artificial intelligence for shopping and payments.

With problems behind it, Home BancShares preps for a deal

The Arkansas-based company spent nearly four years on the M&A sidelines, grappling with asset quality issues and litigation tied to its 2022 acquisition of Texas-based Happy State Bank. Now it’s signed a letter of intent to buy an unnamed bank.

Popular Bank exits mortgage lending

The company cited efforts to improve profitability behind its decision, with Popular joining a line of other banks in ending mortgage operations in 2025.