Lenders say they are eager to reduce their exposure to CRE, but an examination of recent deals shows just how hard that can be.

Doug Bowers said the company has moved beyond past issues, including corporate governance shortcomings and the abrupt departure of his predecessor, and is ready to bring in more loans and core deposits.

Valley National's latest acquisition would make it a much bigger player in Florida and provide a platform to write more auto loans. Both markets present attractive returns but high risks.

The New York company, which is preparing to buy Astoria Financial, reported year-over-year increases in commercial-and-industrial and commercial real estate loans.

The Michigan company had fewer gains from loan sales. It also reported an increase in noninterest expenses.

The Pittsburgh company, pleased with employee and client retention from its March purchase of Yadkin Financial, is looking to hire lenders from other institutions.

The Illinois company has bought two banks and a small mortgage firm in the past year, which helped improve its second-quarter results.

The FDIC is watching banks that use wholesale funds to support CRE lending. The warning comes as brokered deposit levels at community banks are at their highest level in nearly six years.

Working with Sungage Financial will help NBT Bancorp diversify its consumer loan portfolio and learn from a fintech startup with a speedy credit approval process.

Property Assessed Clean Energy loans can no longer be offered in unincorporated areas of Kern County, Calif. The controversial loans, meant to promote energy efficiency, began in California and are now offered in a number of states.