Why payment companies are targeting SMBs; community banks' loan portfolios; nabbing felons

It's a small world: Why payment companies are targeting SMBs: Micro-, small- and medium-sized businesses have traditionally been a tough nut to crack when it comes to serving up actionable insights. Payment data is helping to change that.

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'Human crimes is a blind spot': How banks can nab felons: The Knoble, a nonprofit that brings banks, credit unions, payment networks and law enforcement together to detect elder and child exploitation and human trafficking, has worked with more than 600 banks.

Why community banks are struggling to expand loan portfolios: Median growth among small U.S. lenders was 1.2% for the third quarter. Bankers are hoping lower interest rates will boost demand, but borrowers aren't jumping.

BankThink: Bank regulators have concepts of a plan to deal with AI: In a string of speeches last week, the top federal banking regulators outlined goals and framed their thinking about artificial intelligence in financial services, but the biggest questions around liability and widespread adoption remain unanswered.

Mountain America exiting New Mexico with branch deal: The Sandy, Utah-based credit union said it opted to part with its two New Mexico branches to focus on other geographies. At least one expert expects an uptick in branch sales as more credit unions seek to "right-size" their networks.