Secrets of the top midsize banks; stress buffers rise at regionals as new capital rules debated

Top banks $10B-$50B: How they thrived as rising rates snuck up on their peers : Smaller regional banks kept funding costs in check and relied on robust noninterest income to earn their spot as a 10 top-performing bank on American Banker's annual ranking.

Key metrics of the highly ranked: The 10 top-performing banks with $10B to $50B in assets

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Regulators weigh impact of new capital rules on banks and nonbanks alike : Higher capital requirements tend to drive certain lending activities away from banking and toward so-called shadow banks. How regulators shore up banks without driving their customers away is the source of a spirited philosophical debate in Washington.

Capital buffers for regionals, big banks move in opposite directions : Following regulatory stress tests, three midsize institutions expect to be required to maintain larger stress capital buffers. The reverse is true for four of the nation's largest banks.

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.

Cullen/Frost plans to double its branch presence in Austin : The San Antonio bank says it will open 17 new financial centers in the Austin region by 2026. It's the latest step in a physical expansion strategy that has led to dozens of new branches in Houston and Dallas.