Marissa Fajt

Superior Bancorp in Birmingham, Ala., said Tuesday that it swung to a fourth-quarter loss of $11.5 million, from a $1.1 million profit a year earlier.

First Defiance Financial Corp. in Ohio has revised its fourth-quarter earnings.

Prosperity Bancshares Inc. in Houston announced Monday that it would acquire the 19 branches, including deposits of $500 million and assets of $100 million, from First Banks for a 5.5% deposit premium, or $27.5 million.

First Southern Bancorp has raised about $400 million to acquire failed banks in the south Florida market. Along with the capital, the company added some well-known bankers.

First Southern Bancorp has raised about $400 million to acquire failed banks in the south Florida market. Along with the capital, the company added some well-known bankers.

Albina Community Bancorp in Portland, Ore., Friday reported losing $1.8 million in the fourth quarter, compared with a $60,000 loss for the same period in 2008.

DNB Financial Corp. in Downington, Pa., Friday reported fourth-quarter earnings of $573,000 compared with a loss of $230,000 for the year-earlier quarter.

Albina Community Bancorp in Portland, Ore., Friday reported losing $1.8 million in the fourth quarter, compared with a $60,000 loss for the same period in 2008.

DNB Financial Corp. in Downington, Pa., Friday reported fourth-quarter earnings of $573,000 compared with a loss of $230,000 for the year-earlier quarter.

Capitol Federal Financial of Topeka, Kan., reported Thursday that its fourth-quarter profit rose 32% year over year, to $21 million.

Talk about a strange brew. Cathay General Bancorp in Los Angeles was hit by an enforcement action in December, tapped the equity markets this week and is now contemplating expansion.

East Texas Financial Services Inc. in Tyler has agreed to be acquired for $23.5 million by a company owned by one of its board members.

Fourth-quarter earnings reports from small and midsize banking companies showcase some favorable trends, notably that credit deterioration appears to be stabilizing and deposits have bloomed on many balance sheets.

The $11 billion-asset company reported a net loss available to shareholders of $15.7 million, compared with a $69.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2008.

Even as many other community banks have recoiled, Iberiabank Corp. lately has been on a growth tear — raising capital, buying four failed banks and picking up lending teams from competitors.

With nonperforming assets declining and two consecutive profitable quarters under its belt, the Atlanta company is planning for a year of black ink.

Heartland Financial USA Inc. of Dubuque, Iowa, reported a net 2009 loss of $9.2 million for common shareholders, 200% larger than the 2008 loss.

After three consecutive quarterly losses, Virginia Commerce Bancorp Inc. announced Tuesday that it returned to profitability in the fourth quarter.

Shares of Nara Bancorp Inc. fell 5.5% early Tuesday, but rebounded to close down 1.24% to $8.73 after the Los Angeles company announced a fourth-quarter loss. It was, however, an 85% narrower loss than posted a year earlier.

Regulators may be more open to selling failed banks to nontraditional owners — or maybe there are just fewer buyers.