Paul Davis

Most of the bankers highlighted a year ago made headlines, took bold steps or had successful years. As expected, some bought other banks, rebranded or repositioned their companies for the future.

Provident Financial Services (PFS) in Jersey City, N.J., has agreed to buy Team Capital Bank in Bethlehem, Pa.

Olney Bancshares of Texas in Olney has agreed to buy Park Cities Bank from North Texas Bancshares in Dallas.

First Niagara Financial (FNFG) in Buffalo, N.Y., didn't have to look far to find its next president and chief executive, even though the search process lasted nine months.

BNC Bancorp's deals to spend $48 million on two lenders with sizable levels of nonperforming assets show that strugglers can command stronger prices in markets where aggressive banks are under pressure to buy.

Fiserv was supposed to post a note on the website of an N.C. bank that BNC recently bought that redirected the acquisition's customers to BNC's site. Unfortunately, the note appeared on the wrong website -- that of a nearby rival.

Hanmi Financial (HAFC) in Los Angeles has agreed to buy Central Bancorp in Garland, Texas.

A group of employees at Black Diamond Capital Management are looking to buy Pacific National Bank.

BBCN Bancorp (BBCN) in Los Angeles has hired a senior manager at HSBC to become its first chief retail banking officer.

Pacific Mercantile Bancorp (PMBC) in Costa Mesa, Calif., is getting out of the mortgage business to focus on business banking.

Northwest Bancorp. (NBCT) in Spokane, Wash., has raised $12.5 million after selling common stock and issuing subordinated notes and warrants.

IberiaBank Corp. (IBKC) said its president and chief executive has set up a plan to sell up to 11% of his stock in the Lafayette, La., company.

MetroCorp (MCBI) in Houston hired a consultant to scout possible Chinese suitors before agreeing to sell to East West Bancorp (EWBC) in Los Angeles.

Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) in Little Rock, Ark., has agreed to buy Bancshares Inc. in Houston.

Executives at NewBridge Bancorp share insiders' views on the challenges of making loans and pursuing M&A in a state where big banks, regionals and well-funded community banks have created heavy competition.

The North Carolina market is poised for a big round of M&A, and executives at NewBridge Bancorp — which has made two acquisitions this year — believe they can build the state's first super-community bank.

Reduced lending, fewer leaders in times of crisis and less innovation – that’s what we’d have if only the biggest banks were allowed to survive.

TCF Financial (TCB) in Wayzata, Minn., has hired a former executive from State Farm Bank to become its chief credit officer.

Banco Sabadell in Spain has agreed to buy JGB Bank in Miami.

Lingering uncertainty over affairs in Washington should prompt caution among borrowers in coming weeks, bankers say.