Jim Dobbs

The Independent Bank-Texas Capital merger could prompt other banks in the state to consider selling or buying.

Christopher Maher, who has announced seven bank deals since 2015, says a stable rate outlook will help buyers and sellers crunch merger numbers.

Craig Howie, who joined the bank after a merger, will succeed the retiring Jon Evans on Jan. 1.

Several banks have reported spikes in substandard loans, special mention credits and watch-list relationships. What does it all mean?

The smooth and relatively short process should be encouraging to other big banks that are eyeing deals. But their window of opportunity may not last long.

United Bankshares in West Virginia was willing to pay a healthy premium for Carolina Financial, one of a dwindling number of available banks with more than $4 billion in assets.

More banks in the state are considering acquisitions to cut costs and combat margin pressure.

Such credits, which reflect borrowers with financial challenges, increased significantly during the third quarter.

The Louisiana company's willingness to combine with First Horizon without a big initial payday is fueling talk that other banks could be keen on selling at relatively inexpensive prices.

While layoffs at big banks get the headlines, small and midsize lenders are also trimming payrolls in response to lower rates and fears that a recession is getting closer.

First Horizon and Iberiabank solidified their resolve after BB&T and SunTrust announced their merger. Bryan Jordan, First Horizon's CEO, says he's convinced the earlier deal is having a similar influence at other regional banks.

Shares in the lender fell after it reported lower third-quarter profits, said nonperforming assets rose and cautioned that it had lost multifamily loan deals to competitors offering easier terms.

The credit they received in the third quarter is helping to soften the blow from falling net interest margins and weakening loan demand.

Executives at banks in California say there's only so much they can do until the flames subside.

Midsize players like BankUnited, BOK and Fulton Financial plan to rely on selective M&A, catering to niches overlooked by big banks, aggressive recruitment of commercial lenders and other strategies to stimulate revenue growth.

Executives say they are passing on more loans as bank and nonbank competitors cut rates and forgo traditional safeguards.

Amid concern that an economic downturn is approaching, Greg Carmichael said that banks need to focus on credit quality and not worry about expanding their balance sheets.

Tom Lopp will succeed Gary Judd at the end of November.

Slowdowns in new factory orders and production, largely tied to the trade war with China, could translate to more defaults among industrial clients.

The Wisconsin company will have 15 branches in its home state on completing the acquisition.