Paul Davis

NewBridge Bancorp (NBBC) in Greensboro, N.C., has issued nearly $16 million in subordinated debt to redeem all the preferred stock it issued under the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Banking activity slowed in January, particularly consumer lending, as cold weather and snowstorms stymied new construction and consumer transactions. Still, bankers maintained an optimistic view of overall business conditions.

Three companies control banking in Hawaii, but they acknowledge that their dominant position could be coming to an end as the local economy changes and mainland banks can use online services to more easily compete from a distance.

A trio of mutual thrifts have filed paperwork to sell a total of $350 million in stock as part of planned conversions to stock companies.

First Citizens Banc (FCZA) in Sandusky, Ohio, will close three branches to cut costs.

Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania (RBPAA) in Narbeth has agreed to sell nearly $14 million in stock through private placements.

Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) in Moultrie, Ga., has agreed to buy Coastal Bankshares in Savannah, Ga.

Chemical Financial (CHFC) in Midland, Mich., has agreed to buy Northwest Bancorp in Traverse City, Mich.

Joseph Stilwell said in recent regulatory filings that he wants Fairmount Bancorp in Baltimore and Harvard Illinois Bancorp to find buyers. He also filed a document backing Jefferson Bancshares' planned sale to HomeTrust.

First Bancshares (FBMS) in Hattiesburg, Miss., has agreed to buy BCB Holding in Mobile, Ala.

How do you top a guest speaker like all-everything quarterback Joe Montana at your banking conference? Bring in his former 49er teammate Jerry Rice, the ICBA decided.

Bankers at this year's ICBA convention in Hawaii expressed hope that an increase in loan applications — as well as some relief from pending regulations — will bode well for 2014 and beyond.

Bankers gathered for the ICBA convention in Hawaii say intensifying competition from larger players is prompting more discussion about the need to gain scale — most likely through consolidation.

Upstate New York banker John Buhrmaster will spend the much of the next year fighting for community banks as they struggle to keep pace with mounting regulations. But he also intends to remind his counterparts that it's crucial for them to find new income streams.

First United (FUNC) in Oakland, Md., has received regulatory approval to catch up on interest payments for certain obligations.

John A. Allison is planning to retire from the board of BB&T (BBT) in Winston-Salem, N.C.

An unsolicited offer from an unnamed institution prompted Team Capital Bank in Bethlehem, Pa., to explore selling itself.

Synovus (SNV) in Columbus, Ga., is planning to replace two directors and pursue a 1-for-7 reverse stock split.

Stilwell Group is irate that Poage Bankshares has agreed to buy another Kentucky bank. The activist investor would prefer to see the company buy back stock and, eventually, find a buyer.

First Citizens BancShares (FCNCA) in Raleigh, N.C., said that another key member of its controlling family is stepping down.