Growth strategies

After the rapid rise of interest rates, election uncertainty and tariff policies stymied borrower demand, some banks' second-quarter results suggest that loan growth may be on its way back.

The Columbus, Ohio-based company plans to acquire Veritex Holdings, which has grown into one of the Lone Star State's biggest commercial banks over the past 15 years.

Oxford Bank appears poised to reap benefits from a substantial investment in building out its commercial finance subsidiary. The business, which provides credit to companies that aren't a good fit for bank loans, has moved into the banking mainstream over the last 15 years.

BMO Financial Group has sold a U.S. credit card portfolio and exited a franchise loan portfolio as part of an effort to achieve a return on equity of at least 12% in its U.S. business.

Richmond, Virginia-based Atlantic Union is still integrating its recent acquisition of Sandy Spring Bank in Maryland. But CEO John Asbury has already begun plotting a new expansion course.

The Dallas-based company's broker-dealer arm, Texas Capital Securities, has also made several recent hires as it continues to expand its capabilities.

While other European-based banks have retreated from the United States, Santander is doubling down by building out its nationwide digital-banking platform. "Unequivocally," said U.S. CEO Christiana Riley, "the opportunity … is so clear."