Paul Davis

Pacific Premier Bancorp Inc. in Costa Mesa, Calif., on Tuesday reported that its fourth-quarter earnings rose 63% from a year earlier, to $2.6 million, largely due to the purchase of a failed bank.

FirstMerit Corp. in Akron, Ohio, reported Tuesday that its fourth-quarter earnings rose 13% from a year earlier, to $30.5 million, largely due to lower credit costs.

Kelly King is bullish about BB&T's growth opportunity this year, and he believes the company has many options when it comes to M&A.

Auburn National Bancorp in Alabama announced two moves that will largely offset each other during the first quarter.

Kelly King said he is willing to pass on deals, a day after its reported target, BankUnited, opted to remain independent.

F.N.B. Corp. in Hermitage, Pa., said late Wednesday that Stephen J. Gurgovits is stepping down as its chief executive.

Select Bank & Trust Co. in Greenville, N.C., said Tuesday that it has completed its acquisition of Gibsonville Community Bank from Bank of Atlanta.

Wintrust Financial Corp. in Lake Forest, Ill., has agreed to buy the trust operations of Suburban Bank & Trust Co. in Elmhurst, Ill.

The Federal Reserve on Tuesday disclosed a written agreement with Gold Canyon Bank in Gold Canyon, Arizona.

Hancock Holding Co. has sold an insurance unit as part of a larger agreement with a Florida insurance company.

Kevin Kabat believes Fifth Third Bancorp can boost lending this year, somewhat offsetting low interest rates. He’d like to pursue acquisitions, though he admits that M&A activity may underwhelm again in 2012.

A panel of Wall Street banking experts met recently to discuss how community banks can best navigate through an uncertain year ahead.

West Coast Bancorp Inc. in Lake Oswego, Ore., has added a director to its board with ties to a investment firm that participated in the company's 2009 private placement.

First Farmers Financial Corp. agreed late Wednesday to acquire First Citizens of Paris Inc.

The Federal Reserve on Tuesday announced written agreements with two banking companies.

Southern Community Financial Corp. in Winston-Salem, N.C., has split the roles of chairman and chief executive.

The Federal Reserve has hit Waccamaw Bank with a prompt corrective action ordering the Whiteville, N.C., bank to increase equity or sell itself.

There are signs that community bankers and regulators are trying to thaw relations. But uncertainly over the Dodd-Frank Act and longstanding distrust remain impediments to tangible progress, observers say.

With a renewed appetite to expand lending, big banks are said to be actively courting borrowers much smaller than their typical midmarket clients. The banks are wooing potential clients with very competitive rates and loan structures, much to the concern of smaller banks.

There's bad news for those who withdrew funds on Bank Transfer Day to punish the targets of their ire. Most banks don't really need their money — at least not right now.