Chris Cumming

Axiom EPM, a maker of financial-planning software, has upgraded its performance-management system in a way that the company says will help banks make better decisions.

First PacTrust in Los Angeles plans to become to Banc of California, effective July 16.

First Bank in Hamilton, N.J., has agreed to buy Heritage Community Bank in Randolph.

MB Financial has agreed to buy Taylor Capital Group. The deal would create one of the largest banking companies in Chicago.

Great Southern Bancorp in Springfield, Mo., is closing 11 branches in a bid to cut costs.

Profits rose at Webster Financial in Waterbury, Conn., on strong fee income and cost controls.

Taylor Capital Group (TAYC) in Chicago plans to retire one-quarter of its Troubled Asset Relief Program stock that the Treasury Department auctioned to private investors last June.

Independent Bank (INDB) in Rockland, Mass., reported a jump in second-quarter profit as interest revenue and fee income rose.

The Federal Reserve Board has terminated a regulatory order with Waterstone Financial in Wauwatosa, Wis.

Rocky Wirtz's championship NHL team, the Chicago Blackhawks, gets more press than his community banks, but they make more money.

The $857 million-asset company tapped Jerry Rexroad to succeed John Russ, a company spokeswoman said on Thursday. Rexroad has been chairman and CEO of affiliate Crescent Mortgage.

Signature Bank in New York City has lured a group from HSBC as it continues its private-banking push.

Commerce Bancshares in Kansas City, Mo., reported lower quarterly profit as interest income fell and credit costs spiked.

Big banks tightened credit for small businesses in June, a month after being their most generous in six years.

CoBiz Financial (COBZ) in Denver plans to enter two new markets — Fort Collins and Colorado Springs — and create a private-banking division.

The banking technology firm nCino has formed a joint venture to offer web-based SBA-lending software.

UMB Financial in Kansas City, Mo., is planning to open its first branch in Texas, according to a report.

Credit-risk managers are more optimistic than they have been in three years about lenders' ability to extend credit, a new study found.

The Federal Reserve Board has lifted regulatory actions against Huntington Bancshares in Texas and Buckeye Bancshares in Ohio.

Huntington Bancshares in Columbus, Ohio, has named a new head of internal auditing.