Banking

The same day Provident Financial Services announced it had agreed to buy Lakeland for $1.3 billion, the seller disclosed an ongoing fair-lending investigation by the Justice Department. Provident said it has "not heard anything" that would give it pause.

The all-stock acquisition of Lakeland Bancorp, expected to close in the second quarter of 2023, would create a combined bank with more than $25 billion of assets.

Technology is helping big banks gain market share and is more likely to drive consolidation in the years ahead than regional bank mergers.

The class-action lawsuit was brought on behalf of mortgage borrowers who were allegedly placed into forbearance during the early days of the pandemic without their consent.

The Consumer Bankers Association and the Center for Responsible Lending said the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau should renew its efforts to level the regulatory playing field between larger bank and nonbank companies that make installment and other kinds of personal loans.

More than 350 investors put money into Agility Bank, a de novo minority depository institution that opened in May. It raised nearly $41 million, well surpassing its $30 million goal.

The Minneapolis-based buyer had previously said the deal would close earlier in the second half. Some of the financial benefits, which had been expected to be realized next year, won't come to fruition until 2024, executives said Monday.

The North Carolina bank's insurance subsidiary agreed to pay $3.4 billion to buy BankDirect Capital Finance. The sale reflects opposing strategies by the two companies.

PACE financings expected to accelerate lending for energy-efficient projects under new Inflation Reduction Act: DBRS Morningstar report.

The Ohio bank, which has been releasing more information about its Scope 3 emissions, promised to take steps with customers and suppliers to reduce their collective impact on climate change.