New Buyer Scopes Out Failures in Central States

A new group formed to buy failing banks plans to use its recent deal for tiny, well-capitalized Palisades National Bank as a springboard for further acquisitions.

Regulators Shut Five More Banks

July was worst month this year for failures

Regulators closed institutions in five states late Friday, bringing the year's toll to 69 and leaving the FDIC with almost $1 billion more in losses.

Oklahoma Bank Fighting FDIC Sells Securities to Bolster Capital

Though Frontier State Bank of Oklahoma City faced off against the FDIC in court to defend its business model, it has reluctantly sold some securities — at a profit.

An Unusual Fight with FDIC Goes to Court

Oklahoma bank disputing agency's view of its business model

In a rare showdown between a bank and its regulator, the FDIC took the $720 million-asset Frontier State to court. The agency wants the bank, owned by Joseph D. McKean Jr., to overhaul ...

Oklahoma Bank Picks Whimsical Brand for Web Offering

The owners of Bank of the Wichitas wanted a unique name for its new Internet bank that would play both inside and outside its home state. It chose Redneck Bank.

Shrinking Margin Hits Southwest

Southwest Bancorp in Stillwater, Okla., said its third-quarter earnings fell 58% from a year earlier, to $2.3M, or 16 cents a share, as a result of rising loan delinquencies ...

Funds Deal Small Banks a Profit Blow

Several community banks recently said their second-quarter earnings would include hefty charges on their holdings in a group of mutual funds backed by mortgage bonds.

BancFirst Sees Modest Gain

BancFirst in Oklahoma City said Friday that its first-quarter earnings climbed 4.5% from a year earlier, to $11.6 million.

Exchange of Oklahoma Agrees to Sale

Exchange Bancshares of Moore in Moore, Okla., said it has agreed to sell itself for $16.1M, minus some items, to an investor group led by a Michigan physician.

Costs Rise, Margin Drops at Southwest

Southwest Bancorp of Stillwater, Okla., said Tuesday that a shrinking net interest margin and higher expenses cut its 4Q profit by 31% from a year earlier, to $4.5 million.

Taking Aim at Markets Others Avoid

Some banking companies have chased growth in warmer states like Texas and Florida, but Arvest Bank is content to stay in markets where the competition is less fierce.

Central of Oklahoma Taking Prepaid Line Nationwide

Brud Baker, the president and CEO of Central National Bank and Trust in Enid, Okla., said he is counting on a nationwide expansion of his bank's prepaid card business to boost fee income at a time when margins from traditional banking continue to narrow.

Anadarko in Regulatory Deal

Anadarko Bank and Trust Co. in Oklahoma must improve its lending procedures and board oversight under an agreement it has reached with the Federal Reserve Board and the Oklahoma State Banking Department.

MB to Sell Unit, Buy Stock

Olney Bancshares Inc. in Texas struck a deal Monday to acquire Union Bank of Oklahoma City for $76.9 million in cash from MB Financial Inc., an $8 billion-asset multibank holding company in Chicago.