Paul Davis

The $2 billion-asset Hampton Roads said in a press release Wednesday that it will pay $107.2 million in stock for the $1 billion-asset Xenith.

Kelly King, the North Carolina company's chief executive, also noted that BB&T is busy integrating a number of recent acquisitions. It is leaning toward buying back stock, though management could be coaxed into making a deal if the right bank became available.

Activist investor Lawrence Seidman has reversed course and will support the lone Malvern Bancorp director standing for re-election.

Park Sterling in Charlotte, N.C., has hired Donald Truslow as its next chief financial officer.

Horizon Bancorp in Michigan City, Ind., has agreed to buy Kosciusko Financial in Mentone, Ind.

A former BBCN Bancorp director said that four of the Los Angeles company’s 13 directors did not vote for its purchase of Wilshire Bancorp.

A pair of directors at Malvern Bancorp in Paoli, Pa., have resigned just days after a large investor refused to support their re-election.

A pair of former BBCN directors said they resigned due to issues with the company's corporate governance and the leadership of Chairman and CEO Kevin Kim. BBCN claims the directors, who voted against its planned acquisition of Wilshire Bancorp, resigned after they were informed of plans to remove them from the board.

Allegiance Bancshares in Houston has sold two branches to Incommons Bank in Mexia, Texas.

Lawrence Seidman, an activist investor in New Jersey, wrote in a regulatory filing that he plans to withhold support for all three of Malvern Bancorp's directors who are up for reelection this year.

A rush of bank M&A is welcome news to activist investors, who typically make money when banks make improvements and sell to bigger institutions. Here is a look at six firms that have stood out in recent years for pressuring management teams and boards to enhance value for shareholders.

Pinnacle Financial Partners in Nashville, Tenn., has agreed to buy Avenue Financial Holdings in Nashville.

C.K. Hong used his resignation letter to issue a scathing rebuke of the Los Angeles company's $1 billion acquisition, while claiming that he had been on a "dysfunctional board … characterized by factionalism and a lack of transparency." BBCN strongly disagreed, claiming that Hong was upset that plans were already in place to remove him from the board.

Centrue Financial in Ottawa, Ill., has agreed to sell three branches in Illinois.

ServisFirst Bancshares in Birmingham, Ala., has entered the Florida’s Tampa Bay area after hiring the former chief executive of Bay Cities Bank.

CVB Financial in Ontario, Calif., has agreed to sell a branch Sierra Bancorp in Porterville, Calif.

Chemical Financial in Midland, Mich., has agreed to buy Talmer Bancorp in Troy, Mich.

Huntington Bancshares in Columbus, Ohio, has agreed to buy FirstMerit in Akron, Ohio.

United Community Financial in Youngstown, Ohio, has agreed to buy James & Sons Insurance.

Opus Bank in Irvine, Calif., has agreed to buy Pensco Trust Co. in San Francisco from Pensco Services.