Paul Davis

Commercial firms' appetite for loans fell in November, though bankers have mixed views on why demand decreased. Meanwhile, financial institutions are managing to reduce deposit rates, which should help margins over the long run.

First NBC Bank Holding in New Orleans has agreed to buy State Investors Bancorp in New Orleans.

Valley National in Wayne, N.J., will use proceeds from a branch sale in New York City to offset costs tied to prepaying debt.

LCNB Corp. in Lebanon, Ohio, has agreed to buy BNB Bancorp in Brookville, Ohio.

On at least three occasions, Michael Daly flexed his bargaining muscles in discussions with Hampden Bancorp. His tenacity led to a privately negotiated deal, a reduced exchange ratio and an amended employment agreement with Hampden's chief lending officer.

Dan Rollins' ability to have a BSA-related consent order removed and get two acquisitions back on track could embolden more big community banks to pursue deals next year.

Fairmount Bancorp in Baltimore seems poised to face a proxy battle next year from activist investor Joseph Stilwell.

BofI Holding in San Diego has agreed to buy $125 million in deposit accounts from a unit of First Marblehead.

Citizens National in Paintsville, Ky., has acquired Peoples Security Bancorp in Louisa, Ky.

Deals and departures were common trends among bankers we highlighted as worth watching in 2014. In fact, only a few bankers managed to avoid major headlines in the past year.

Simmons First National in Pine Bluff, Ark., has extended the termination date for its purchases of two banks due to delays securing regulatory approval.

Tri-Valley Bank in San Ramon, Calif., plans to raise $2.5 million through a private placement of common stock.

Meta Financial Group in Sioux Falls, S.D., has filed to raise up to $26 million by selling common stock.

Integrity Bancshares in Camp Hill, Pa., first approached S&T Bancorp about an $8 million loan before eventually agreeing to sell itself to the Indiana, Pa., company.

Northwest Bancshares in Warren, Pa., has agreed to buy LNB Bancorp in Lorain, Ohio.

The $16.3 billion-asset UMB will pay $182.5 million in stock for the Marquette, which is owned by the Pohlad family. The acquisition, which values Marquette at 160% of its tangible book value, is expected to close in mid-2015.

Bridge Bancorp in Bridgehampton, N.Y., has agreed to buy Community National Bank in Melville, N.Y.

Doral Financial in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has resubmitted its capital restoration plan to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. after the agency determined that the initial plan was insufficient.

The Mississippi company is hopeful examiners will recognize progress made on Bank Secrecy Act compliance, including a much bigger staff and enhanced systems. If all goes well, BancorpSouth could have a consent order lifted, paving the way for it to refile applications for two acquisitions it hopes to complete next year.

Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania in Narbeth could be looking for a new chief risk officer.