Paul Davis

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.

State Bank Financial in Atlanta has agreed to buy NBG Bancorp in Athens, Ga.

Union Bankshares in Richmond, Va., has agreed to buy Old Dominion Capital Management in Charlottesville, Va.

DNB Financial in Downington, Pa., has agreed to buy East River Bank of Philadelphia.

The $1.3 billion-asset Westfield said in a press release Monday that it will pay $110 million, or $20.42 a share, in stock for the $800 million-asset Chicopee.

United Community Banks in Blairsville, Ga., has agreed to buy Tidelands Bancshares in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., for $2.2 million in cash, or 52 cents a share.

First Financial in Terre Haute, Ind., has sold its insurance brokerage unit to USI Insurance Services in Valhalla, N.Y.

BofI Holding in San Diego has bought an equipment finance business from PacWest Bancorp in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Talmer Bancorp in Michigan agreed in January to sell itself for 2.3% less than its stock price at the time. In a recent filing, Talmer gave its rationale for the contentious take-under, emphasizing the deal's long-term benefits.

Brickell Bank in Miami has bought a trade finance portfolio from the investment brokerage firm INTL FCStone.

Blue Ridge Bankshares in Luray, Va., has agreed to buy River Bancorp in Martinsville, Va.