First Foundation sold loans to Freddie Mac to free up space for higher-yielding credits. It then bought the securities that were formed to replace other, lower-yielding assets through an often overlooked program.

The changes mandated by the recent regulatory relief law would narrow the definition of "high-volatility commercial real estate" exposures that get a higher risk weight.

The division, created after Sunflower hired lenders away from other banks, will focus on asset-based lending to middle-market companies and investors.

The industry group wants the FDIC to reject an ILC request from student lender Nelnet and impose a two-year ban on future applications.

Virginia National will set aside up to $950,000 to cover losses after ReliaMax, a firm that issues surety bonds for student loans, was placed into liquidation.

The deal is designed to improve capital ratios and reduce risk at the Seattle company.

Commercial real estate is their bread and butter, but many banks are scaling back in this vital loan category. Here’s why.

Nelnet’s planned bank would be an online enterprise focused on gathering deposits and making private student loans.

The London interbank offered rate will likely be replaced by a new reference rate that critics say is better suited for the derivatives market than it is for commercial lending.

The bill passed by the House took a more cautious approach to relief than prior legislative proposals but has still been hailed by banking industry groups.

The removal of costly appraisal requirements on tens of thousands of smaller commercial properties could help community banks better compete for loans they say they have been losing to nonbank lenders.

The Tennessee community bank garnered a triple-A from two credit rating agencies for its inaugural securitization this month of loans refinancing the debt of borrowers with advanced degrees and high-paying jobs.

The bill, which also exempts community banks from the trading ban named for former Fed Chairman Paul Volcker, would go a step further than the regulatory relief bill that passed the Senate.

Explosive growth in student lending was putting pressure on the capital ratios of the company, formerly Darien Rowayton Bank; a securitization got a big chunk of servicing strips off its books.

An affiliate of the private-equity firm Angel Oak is packaging bank-issued sub debt to minimize risk for bondholders. It recently completed its first securitization and has plans to issue two deals a year.

A bill to allow captive insurance companies to be reinstated as members of the Federal Home Loan Bank System appears to be dividing the FHLB community.

Banks that have flocked to the business because of higher yields and loan diversity stand to benefit if clients use tax savings to upgrade equipment.

Rather than jump right away into lending to car buyers, Access National will start by offering CRE and M&A financing to dealerships.

Intrust Bank has agreed to purchase $20 million worth of Funding Circle's small-business loans in what could just be the beginning of a long-term relationship.

The $280 million securitization is also expected to boost capital levels and lower Dime's loan-to-deposit ratio.