Catherine Leffert

Reporter

Catherine Leffert covers all things banking, including credit scandals, mergers and acquisitions, compliance blunders and the wonkiest accounting rules you've never heard of. She joined American Banker in 2022, and is based in Washington, D.C.

Obsessed with understanding why banks do what they do, Catherine has investigated the nuances of commercial real estate risk, and covered the mechanics of synthetic risk transfers and private credit. Her coverage of TD Bank's novel money-laundering failures dug into a never-before-used regulatory process to revoke banks' charters — an oddity that Sen. Elizabeth Warren flagged to the Justice Department weeks later.

Previously, Catherine covered banking and private equity in Dallas, where she was born and raised, at a time when the region was one of the fastest-growing economies in the country.

Catherine graduated from Syracuse University, and was managing editor of the city's independent, student-run newspaper, The Daily Orange. Her reporting has been honored by the American Society of Business Publication Editors and the Society of Professional Journalists. She's also been chosen for fellowships by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing.

Email Catherine at catherine.leffert@americanbanker.com. Reach her on Signal at @catherineleffert.01.

Commercial lending

Smaller regionals brush off commercial real estate worries

Cullen/Frost in Texas, BankUnited in Florida and Bank OZK in Arkansas are among the banks that have, at least for now, allayed investors' fears about their exposure to the CRE sector.

By John Reosti

January 26
Commercial banking

Zions says it's confident in credit despite commercial real estate risk

The Salt Lake City bank says that it doesn't expect major losses, even though its problem loans grew at the end of 2023.

By Catherine Leffert

January 23
Commercial banking

Texas Capital sees mortgage woes amid long-term overhaul

The Dallas bank's full-year results showed progress toward its long-term strategic goals despite a fourth-quarter drop-off in net interest income heavily tied to its mortgage business, executives said on an earnings call.

By Catherine Leffert

January 18
Technology

SoFi gets a lift from the return of student loan payments

The neobank is also benefiting from its product diversity.

By Catherine Leffert

October 30
Fintech

LendingClub offsets cooldown in loan-buying demand through new product

CEO Scott Sanborn said it's unclear when demand from banks to buy the fintech's loans will return.

By Catherine Leffert

October 26
Digital banking

Banks develop digital brands: 'Gen Z doesn't want to go into the branch'

PeoplesBank in Massachusetts and others have developed digital brands that cater to younger customers' demands for smoother technology and mobile experiences.

By Catherine Leffert

June 30
AB - Technology

Banks can meet Gen Z where they are, via platforms like Spotify

Younger customers want personalized engagement, including in their music playlists, experts said at American Banker's recent Digital Banking conference.

By Catherine Leffert

June 28
Earnings

SoFi will 'always' stay in student lending, despite challenges: CEO Noto

The neobank expects to turn a profit by the end of the year, but faces challenges as it copes with the government's pause on federal student loan repayment and with the difficulty of selling technology services to other businesses.

By Catherine Leffert

May 1
Risk management

Banks expected to increase risk technology budgets after March crisis

Regional banks will need to implement holistic, sophisticated data and risk analysis technology following last month's bank runs, experts say.

By Catherine Leffert

April 6
Earnings

SoFi's bank charter drives positive outlook, but layoffs hit tech unit

The company reported its seventh consecutive quarter of record adjusted net revenue.

By Catherine Leffert

January 30