Paul Davis

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.

Centrue Financial in Ottawa, Ill., has sold $35.2 million in classified loans and other assets.

Mortgage lending, particularly for bigger banks, cooled some in October as home buying season ended. Meanwhile, loan pricing deteriorated again, showing that lenders are still cutting rates to land the best credits.

Iberiabank Corp. in Lafayette, La., will enter the Atlanta market, agreeing to buy Georgia Commerce Bancshares.

Hills Bancorp. in Hills, Iowa, expects to record a nearly $2 million impairment charge in the fourth quarter.

Stilwell Group has terminated a standstill agreement reached with Malvern Bancorp in Paoli, Pa., saying it was no longer necessary after meeting with Malvern's new CEO, Anthony Weagley.