Paul Davis

United Bancorp in Martins Ferry, Ohio, said its chief executive is stepping aside and that his son will take over day-to-day management.

Iberiabank Corp. (IBKC) in Lafayette, La., has agreed to buy First Private Holdings in Dallas.

First Interstate BancSystem (FIBK) in Billings, Mont., has agreed to buy Mountain West Financial (MTWF) in Helena, Mont.

A little-known dissident investor wants the company to sell. Another shareholder is comfortable giving management them more time to become profitable. A key issue involves the company's deferred-tax asset.

Bankers had more optimism about market conditions in December, fueled by accelerated activity in commercial lending and improved loan pricing.

Anchor Bancorp (ANCB) in Lacey, Wash., is facing pressure from an activist investor to sell itself.

Thad Woodard is retiring as president and chief executive of the North Carolina Bankers Association.

CenterState Banks (CSFL) in Davenport, Fla., has agreed to buy First Southern Bancorp (FSOF) in Boca Raton, Fla.

Southern First Bancshares (SFST) in Greenville, S.C., used a private placement to convert preferred stock tied to the Troubled Asset Relief Program into common stock.

VantageSouth Bancshares (VSB) in Raleigh, N.C., and Yadkin Financial (YDKN) in Elkin, N.C., are merging.

Barkocy, research director of Mendon Capital Advisors, salutes his mentors and confesses a soft spot for small banks as he prepares to wrap up a career that lasted nearly five decades.

National Penn Bancshares (NPBC) in Boyertown, Pa., will close nine branches as it looks to cut costs.

HomeTrust Bancshares (HTBI) in Asheville, N.C., has agreed to buy Jefferson Bancshares (JFBI) in Morristown, Tenn.

BancorpSouth (BXS) in Tupelo, Miss., is making to most out of its return to bank acquisitions.

Fulton Financial (FULT) in Lancaster, Pa., has added its name to the growing list of banks closing branches to cut costs.

TriCo Bancshares (TCBK) in Chico, Calif., has agreed to buy North Valley Bancorp (NOVB) in Redding, Calif.

Several more banks have disclosed financial hits because they hold securities that regulators declined to exempt from the Volcker Rule. Many of the bankers are upset because they are taking impairment charges on performing securities.

Center Bancorp (CNBC) in Union, N.J., has agreed to buy ConnectOne Bancorp (CNOB) in Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

Risk Management Standards Debut; More Earnings

The $2 billion-asset company said late Thursday that it would sell branches in Anthony and Harper to BancCentral in Alva, Okla. A third branch, in Overland Park, is being sold to Fidelity Bank in Wichita, Kan.