Kristin Broughton

The Virginia and West Virginia bankers associations have intensified merger discussions and could combine into a single trade group by year's end, according to a report Tuesday from Richmond BizSense.

Comerica (CMA) in Dallas reported higher earnings for the second quarter thanks heavily to savings on salary-related expenses.

First Data Corp. has added technology from Perka, its customer loyalty subsidiary, to its Clover Station point of sale tablets. This is the latest of several updates First Data has made to boost the appeal of its Clover offering.

Independent Bank in McKinney, Texas, is planning to raise capital by issuing debt.

Wintrust Financial (WTFC) in Rosemont, Ill., reported higher quarterly earnings as income from loan growth offset lower fee revenue.

Ocwen Financial (OCN) has repurchased approximately $72.3 million in stock from WL Ross & Co., a private-equity firm in New York.

Citizens Financial Group has hired Stephen T. Gannon, a former attorney for the Securities and Exchange Commission, to be its general counsel and chief legal officer.

Federal and state authorities on Monday sought to rein in three companies accused of exploiting consumers struggling to pay off their debts.

The ATM maker and bank technology provider Diebold has named Sal Mahbouba as vice president of global services.

More small banks are engaging on social media and are finding ways to highlight their community involvement, promote their personalities and better connect with customers.

The ATM maker and bank technology provider Diebold has named Sal Mahbouba as vice president of global services.

Northwest Bank in Boise, Idaho, has agreed to buy Regal Financial Bank in Seattle.

Hanmi Financial (HAFC) in Los Angeles has sold two insurance businesses Chunha Holding in Garden Grove, Calif.

Jane Thompson, former president of Wal-Mart Stores' financial services unit, has joined the board of the Center for Financial Services Innovation, a research group in Chicago that focuses on low-income consumers.

Signature Bank (SBNY) in New York has created a pair of nationwide lending offices, focusing on restaurant franchises and the commercial marine industry.

QNB Corp. (QNBC) in Quakertown, Pa., is looking to replace its chief financial officer.

Liberty Bank for Savings in Chicago has launched an all-digital payments account for millennials, or consumers between the age of 18 and 34.

KeyCorp (KEY) has added a retired federal bank regulator to its board.

American Express’ network rules have deterred Discover from using lower interchange rates to lure more merchants, a high-ranking Discover executive testified in federal court July 10.

Regulatory fines, lawsuits and other scandals have made it difficult to repair banks' damaged public images, 80% of marketing and communications executives from financial firms said in a recent survey. That's not all they are stewing over, either.