Indexes show heightened expectations for a recession and souring loans. But executives are upbeat about middle-market businesses and overall job growth.

The loan-growth projections are for Columbia Banking System itself, before the Tacoma, Washington, bank officially merges with Umpqua Holdings. The $5 billion deal is scheduled to close Feb. 28.

The layoff round, which a spokesperson said represents "less than one quarter of one percent of the roles in the company," comes after Rocket announced a 20-person reduction in the marketing team in early January.

The Pittsburgh bank posted a solid profit and said that it expects continued loan growth. But the pace of business expansion could slow alongside an economic downturn.

The move, which comes with an unspecified number of layoffs, is expected to cost the company $3.8 million to $4.6 million in pretax charges in the second quarter.

Northpoint's description of insider wrongdoing as cause for its November security leak is a rare admission of the type of cyberattack a mortgage firm has suffered.

The Arizona-based lender has been in business for 35 years and has branches in over 20 states.

She led two mortgage companies in a male dominated industry, and most recently was CEO of risk management firm Dytrix.

Kindred Home Loans will serve buyers of properties in Dallas and San Antonio markets.

The partnership will expand UHM reach to new markets in Florida, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina and California.