Paul Davis

The $374 million Lizton said in a press release Tuesday that it will pay $12.5 million, or $7.25 a share, in cash for the $66.5 million-asset Indiana Business Bancorp.

Stonegate Bank in Pompano Beach, Fla., has agreed to buy Regent Bancorp in Davie, Fla.

Bankers blamed regulators' new methodologies for rating certain energy loans – and a new two-stage shared national credit review process – for an increase in downgrades and loan-loss provisions. Regulators reportedly are reacting to an increase in second liens tied to exploration and production companies.

The biggest investor in Middleburg Financial plans to withhold support for the company's director nominees.

Delaware Bancshares in New York thought it was set to grow and diversify after buying six Bank of America branches. Instead, the deal led to the company selling itself.

South State in Columbia, S.C., is planning to close 11 branches over the rest of this year.

Some are looking at buying banks or counting on recently announced acquisitions to diversify revenue streams. Others are investing in fee-based businesses and new technologies and all, of course, are trying to keep a lid on expenses.

High Point Bank considered bulking up to the size of other community banks in its market but quickly realized that the strategy would involve significant expense, risk and capital. So the company ended up selling to BNC Bancorp.

Wider margins and expense control boosted quarterly profits at BB&T in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Glacier Bancorp in Kalispell, Mont., has agreed to buy Treasure State Bank in Missoula, Mont., for $12.9 million in cash and stock

Sometimes boards have to police their own, as an insider-trading case involving a Pinnacle Financial director shows. The risks are especially high when banks enter confidential merger talks.

Middleburg Financial in Middleburg, Va., is facing pressure from its biggest shareholder to find a buyer.

Summit State Bank in Santa Rosa, Calif., has a new chief executive.

Severn Bancorp in Annapolis, Md., has agreements in place to raise $11 million through a private placement of common stock.

First Horizon National in Memphis, Tenn., reported improved quarterly earnings that reflected higher revenue.

Beneficial Bancorp in Philadelphia is planning to eliminate 11% of its workforce over the next three months.

West Shore Bank Corp. in Ludington, Mich., has agreed to buy West Michigan Bank & Trust in Frankfort.

Financial Institutions in Warsaw, N.Y., has offered an olive branch to resolve a proxy battle with an activist investor.

Hampton Roads Bankshares in Virginia Beach juggled a search for a new chief executive while also arranging for its eventual merger with Xenith Bankshares in Richmond, Va.

LAS VEGAS – Office of the Comptroller of the Currency chief Thomas Curry said Thursday that banks have reached a do-or-die moment and it is up to them to keep up and outinnovate nonbank rivals.