Paul Davis

Despite ongoing challenges, executives at community banks believe they can boost revenue this year. At the same time, pressure is mounting to build scale, which could mean more consolidation.

Sandy Spring Bancorp in Olney, Md., said that its insurance unit bought The Advantage Group, which offers personal, business and life insurance to clients in Maryland, northern Virginia and Washington.

WSFS Financial in Wilmington, Del., has agreed to buy the assets of Powdermill Financial Solutions in Wilmington.

Quaint Oak Bancorp in Southampton, Pa., has bought the rights to a portfolio of personal and commercial insurance policies.

Monona State Bank in Wisconsin has agreed to buy MBC Bankshares in Middleton, Wis.

The $101 billion-asset Key said in a press release Friday that it had finalized the $4.1 billion purchase of the $40 billion-asset First Niagara.

Carver Bancorp in New York is dealing with a new set of challenges just months after being released from a longstanding enforcement order. The company’s woes highlight the challenges for banks with narrowly constrained business models.

CCB, the parent of the $1.3 billion-asset Country Club Bank, recently announced that it had absorbed Capital Corp. in Lenexa, Kan. CCB did not disclose the price.

Stonegate Bank in Pompano Beach, Fla., could be getting close to announcing another acquisition.

Green Bancorp in Houston has resolved $37 million in energy loans since deciding to get out of that business.

The $1.8 billion-asset Sunflower expects to combine with the $2.2 billion-asset Strategic Growth to create a company with $3 billion in loans and 60 branches in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico and Texas.

Middlefield Banc Corp. in Ohio has agreed to buy Liberty Bank in Beachwood, Ohio.

Suffolk Bancorp in New York, which recently agreed to be sold to People's United Financial, discouraged several suitors from bidding due to concerns about concentrations of commercial real estate loans at those banks. The disclosures highlight the challenges that banks with heavy CRE exposure could face — as buyers or sellers — if they want to do deals.

First Commonwealth Financial in Indiana, Pa., has agreed to buy all 13 branches being divested by Huntington Bancshares as part of the approval to acquire FirstMerit.

The $1.4 billion-asset company said in a press release Tuesday that it had agreed to buy Oak Mortgage Co. in Marlton, N.J.

EverBank Financial in Jacksonville, Fla., confirmed that it is in talks to sell itself.

Anchor Bancorp in Lacey, Wash., which has been facing pressure from a prominent activist investor to sell itself, has hired an investment bank to explore strategic options.

First South Bancorp in Washington, N.C., has acquired a portfolio of mortgage servicing rights.

Citizens Bank in Elizabethton, Tenn., has agreed to buy American Trust Bank of East Tennessee in Knoxville.

LegacyTexas Financial Group in Plano has met its original purpose of becoming a big player in its home market.