Chris Cumming

Scottrade Bank has hired a former executive at TCF Financial (TCB) to launch an equipment finance unit.

Pan Pacific Bank in Fremont, Calif., reported another profitable quarter. The $113.3 million-asset bank earned $330,000 in the fourth quarter, compared to a $544,000 loss a year earlier.

Republic Bancorp (RBCAA) in Louisville, Ky., posted higher quarterly earnings after booking gains tied to recent failed-bank acquisitions.

MidFirst Bank in Oklahoma City has agreed to buy a specialty lender in Atlanta.

Cheviot Financial is planning a large share repurchase program nearly a year after converting to a fully public company.

PacWest Bancorp (PACW) in Los Angeles posted strong quarterly earnings to end a year marked by aggressive acquisitions.

Heritage Bank & Trust in Columbia, Tenn., has hired a veteran Tennessee banker as its new president and chief lending officer.

Comerica (CMA) beat fourth-quarter profit estimates, as its fee revenue increased and expenses from its 2011 acquisition of Sterling Bancshares diminished.

Community Trust Bancorp (CTBI) in Pikeville, Ky., posted higher quarterly profit after increased fee revenue offset shrinkage in its loan portfolio.

Al Rajhi Bank is using portal software designed to provide a customizable view of banking data.

Bank of America (BAC) has promoted a veteran executive to lead its commercial banking business as part of its latest shuffle of senior managers.

Fulton Financial (FULT) in Lancaster, Pa., reported a bump up in profit in the fourth quarter despite declines in interest income.

The holding company for the $226 million-asset GulfShore Bank has so far pulled in $1.6 million from local investors in an offering that began on Dec. 31.

The full story on JPMorgan Chase's London Whale fiasco may soon be coming to light.

Commerce Bancshares (CBSH) in Kansas City, Mo., posted stronger quarterly results because of higher card fees and loan volume.

Mercantile Bank (MBWM) in Grand Rapids, Mich., posted another profitable quarter despite renewed efforts to purge bad assets.

The $627 million-asset bank said Monday that it had named Kay Whitaker as its chief financial officer. She will succeed Laurinda Swank, who is shifting to the newly created post of chief accounting officer, a company spokeswoman said.

Rob McMillan, a wine industry expert at Silicon Valley Bank who moonlights in a rock band, dances to a different banking drummer.

Regions Financial (RF) in Birmingham has chosen Prudential Financial (PRU) to be the service provider for its wealth management group divisions that handle institutional and private clients.

The president and six former officers of a failed Savannah, Ga., bank were indicted on Jan. 11 on charges of fraud and conspiracy related to failed commercial loans.