Regional banks

The agency's statement comes as Tropical Storm Harvey gets closer to the Texas shore.

People’s United recently won the deposit business of the states of Massachusetts and Vermont, punctuating a multiyear plan to expand in government banking. But it’s a hard niche to succeed in, and, as other banks can attest, it can invite controversy.

Many banks are adopting an “it takes money to make money” approach, paying more interest on deposits in exchange for loan growth, fee income and customer retention.

Rising taxes, declining population and the political landscape in Illinois have led several bankers to put more money and resources into nearby states.

Associated Banc-Corp is the latest industry welterweight to get back into M&A. That should benefit larger sellers that have watched the bigger regionals sit idle in the last couple of years.