The regional bank told analysts that it has studied how much debt it would need to raise based on an effective post-reform capital floor of 6% of risk-weighted assets, and has determined that that increase in capital would be manageable.

States in its footprint have some of the lowest vaccination rates in the country. Another round of shutdowns could further damage industries like hospitality that have already been hit hard by the pandemic, executives said.

Executives at Citizens Financial and Regions Financial said they plan to make policy changes that will reduce their reliance on the controversial but already dwindling charges.

The deal for the Salt Lake City-based home improvement lender, which Home Depot tried to acquire more than a decade ago, is part of a larger effort by Regions Financial to diversify its home lending business.

Executives from a half-dozen major financial institutions avoided detailed commercial lending forecasts and gave a mixed outlook on consumer credit at an industry conference. And they called on Washington to pass an aid package targeted at the most troubled business sectors as soon as it can.

Many eateries that relied on outdoor dining to survive the pandemic could see revenues plummet as the weather turns cold.

The acquisition of the Texas-based lender will help Regions expand its offerings to small businesses while adding about $2 billion of loans to the bank's balance sheet.

Many business customers are putting off expansion because they can’t find enough workers to fill available jobs.

It hasn't stimulated loan demand in ways banks hoped it might, and some CEOs fear future rate cuts might cause companies to hunker down.