Chris Cumming

A loyal patron of the Connecticut bank celebrated her upcoming 95th birthday with some flowers courtesy of the CEO and a chauffeured ride to the annual meeting.

Heritage Bank in Jonesboro, Ga., became one of the first banks to retire trust-preferred securities held by the FDIC after a complex, year-long negotiation. The transaction could be a model for dozens of other lenders trying to avoid default and possible bankruptcy.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has issued new guidelines on the sale of consumer debt, a move that could help reform a practice that consumer groups say is plagued by errors and abuses.

Bank of the Ozarks' deal to buy Intervest Bancshares looks a bit odd on paper because the two are very different and operation in different of parts of the country. However, Intervest would give Ozarks a commercial lending niche it lacks.

Banks, especially small to midsize ones, have been rewarded with strong loan growth this year. But heavy competition and uncertain economic forecasts are forcing them to keep fine-tuning their growth strategies, asset mixes and risk tolerance.

The troubled Greenville, S.C., bank lost $15 million in the second quarter, its first quarterly results since a new management team replaced the three founders who were fired in April. Moreover, local NAACP leaders have raised concerns about the firings, which they say sent a toxic message to the local African-American community.

A number of community banks reported higher loan-loss provisions during the second quarter despite improved credit quality. For some, the burgeoning trend could be yet another sign that the industry is getting back on track.

CEO Joe Ficalora says the thrift has ways it can buy time to announce a transformative acquisition or benefit from a change in the definition of what it requires to be a systemically important institution. With OneWest off the table, industry observers wonder if the thrift can find the deal it’s been looking for.

New York Community Bancorp's quarterly profit slipped from a year earlier despite strong loan growth and gains from property sales.

Regions Financial in Birmingham, Ala., met bullish second-quarter earnings expectations as loan growth offset a decline in fee income.

Regulators have ordered Fulton Financial (FULT) in Lancaster, Pa., to strengthen its Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering controls.

A community group has succeeded in forcing additional scrutiny of Banc of California's (BANC) expansion plans.

People's United in Bridgeport, Conn., has started a payments firm in partnership with Vantiv in a move that aided the company's quarterly results.

People's United (PBCT) in Bridgeport, Conn., has started a payments firm in partnership with Vantiv in a move that aided the company's quarterly results.

The ongoing search for expense cuts continues, as investors wonder why regional banks such as KeyCorp, Fifth Third, Webster Financial and M&T aren't cutting more and faster.

Webster Financial (WBS) in Waterbury, Conn., reported higher quarterly earnings but missed its earnings targets as mortgage-banking fees declined more than expected.

A community group opposes Banc of California's plans to buy 20 branches, saying management isn't being open about plans to serve low-income and minority customers. The bank says it’s all a misunderstanding. Still, the issue shows why banks must foster good relations with powerful advocacy groups.

The industry is slowly turning to valuations based on earnings rather than tangible book value, raising concerns that banks might feel pressure to make short-term decisions and ill-fated acquisitions.

Dozens of insurers have sold off their banks in recent years, with just a handful choosing to remain in the business. Mutual of Omaha Bank is committed to building a traditional community banking culture with its parent company's backing.

Debt-burdened holding companies are more often resorting to selling their banks through bankruptcy sales, which is welcome news for lawyers, investment banks and advisors that can earn millions working on such transactions. But such fees have rankled creditors.