Chris Cumming

VantageSouth Bancshares in Raleigh, N.C., plans to sell up to $50 million of preferred stock to leave the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Reports of suspected fraud received by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network fell by 25% last year, to just under 70,000, according to the regulator's report on fraud filings for 2012, released Tuesday.

U.S. Bancorp has hired advertising agency Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners for its U.S. market, replacing the Kaplan Thaler Group.

Ally Financial (GMA) in Detroit has agreed to sell $1 billion of stock to help fund the buyback of about $5.9 billion of preferred stock from the Treasury Department.

Monona State Bank in Wisconsin has begun using Encompass360, Ellie Mae's system for managing mortgage originations and servicing, the financial technology company announced Tuesday.

Signature Bank (SBNY) in New York has added to its national sales staff for specialty finance.

Community Bankers Trust (ESXB) in Glen Allen, Va., has agreed to sell its Georgia operations to Community & Southern Holdings in Atlanta.

Independent Bank (IBCP) in Ionia, Mich., plans to raise up to $86 million through a common stock offering.

Capital One Financial Corp. (COF) has agreed to buy Beech Street Capital, a mortgage firm that specializes in government-insured and multifamily loans.

In a move aimed at reducing its cost of funds, Eastern Virginia Bankshares (EVBS) is retiring debt owed to the Federal Home Loan Bank System.

The Mississippi companies have received all the necessary approvals and expect to finalize the deal Sept. 1, they announced Friday.

Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin has settled fraud charges brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with one of its 2009 quarterly reports.

Regulators have lifted an enforcement action against Eastern National Bank in Miami, according to a report.

Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin (ABCW) reported a large quarterly loss just days after announcing a plan to file for bankruptcy and recapitalize itself.

Enterprise Financial Services Corp. (EFSC) in St. Louis converted $20 million of trust-preferred securities to common stock, a move that will reduce its borrowing costs and improve its capital position.

Pacific Mercantile Bancorp (PMBC) in Costa Mesa, Calif., has hired an executive from SVB Financial Group (SIVB) to lead a niche lending unit.

The Federal Reserve Board has terminated enforcement actions with Marquette Financial in Minneapolis and Bank of Virginia in Midlothian.

Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania (RBPAA) in Narberth recorded a second-quarter loss that it attributed to the cost of settling two long-standing legal issues.

1st Constitution Bancorp in Cranbury, N.J., has agreed to acquire Rumson-Fair Haven Bank and Trust Co. in Rumson, N.J.

Mercantile Bank announced a deal Thursday that would make it the third-largest bank based in Michigan.