Features Banking

Imagine being asked how to build a bridge so it meets state and federal regulations—after the materials and contractors have been chosen and the construction has already begun. That, says Carrie Benedict, is precisely what she and her team at KeyBank try to avoid when it comes to merger or acquisition deals. In the seven […]

Stephanie Karfias understands how difficult it can be for people to get the credit they need, especially in the face of major setbacks. “Life can be unpredictable. One moment you’re feeling healthy in all aspects. Then, suddenly, you’re in a car accident and sustained serious injuries that result in astronomical hospital bills and a complete […]

The past year or so has been full of the unexpected, and the winds of change also swept across Northwest Bank nestled near Lake Erie and the Allegheny Mountains. While the original 1896 bank building is still located in Warren, Pennsylvania, last year Northwest moved its holding company headquarters and several key executives to Columbus, […]

There’s something about that Texas Panhandle lifestyle, Lance E. Purcell says. When not attired for his role at FirstBank Southwest in Amarillo, you might find him in boots and jeans, roping calves at a rodeo or mentoring at-risk youngsters at Cal Farley’s Boy Ranch, a residential community that helps boys and girls overcome troubled situations. […]

During her 24-year career at the Connecticut-based Webster Financial Corporation, Harriet Wolfe has shepherded the organization through major milestones. She became its first general counsel in 1997. In 2002, she helped Webster become listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Two years later, she oversaw efforts to convert its subsidiary, Webster Bank, to a national bank charter—while converting the corporation to both a bank and a financial holding company. Over the past […]

It was founded in 1923 to provide financial services for the working class, especially members of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. And as Amalgamated Bank approaches its 100th anniversary, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Mandy Tenner says it continues to serve hundreds of unions while funding and promoting socially responsible causes. “I […]

Advising any financial institution from a legal perspective calls for in-depth knowledge and a cool head, which is why Paul Saltzman got a call from EagleBank in January 2020. An attorney noted for straightening out some of the most sensitive banking issues, he could help his new employer stay on its productive path. And as […]

Tom Greco didn’t see this coming when he was in law school. But 40 years later, he says the internship opportunity at the American Bankers Association allowed him to build a varied and enriching legal career. Now senior vice president and senior counsel for contracts and technology, Greco helps the ABA and its members move […]

Despite being an in-house attorney, Rafael Vietti da Fonseca also views his role through an external counsel mindset. To him, this means delivering “the best experience and providing the greatest value to clients in order to get the very next deal.” As Itaú Unibanco’s head of legal for corporate and investment bank and distribution, he […]

When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in 2020, most companies shut their doors and scrambled to move services online. While many banks scaled back, as well, Lucho Zelaya says Banco Industrial took a different approach, adding to its online services. According to Zelaya, BI’s legal manager, even before the pandemic, digital enhancements were making legal and […]