Robert Barba is the technology editor of American Banker. Robert previously served as deputy editor of American Banker's dealmaking and strategy section. He joined American Banker in late 2007 as a community banking reporter, just in time for the financial crisis. Robert played a lead role in covering community banks' struggle for survival in the years following the downturn. Robert has appeared on Fox Business to discuss bank failures and the Treasury Department's Troubled Asset Relief Program. Prior to joining American Banker, Robert was a general business reporter at Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers in Stuart, Fla. He began his career as a business desk intern at The Denver Post and Boulder Daily Camera. Robert is based in New York.
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The FDIC is holding an auction for jewelry it inherited from the failed Tennessee Commerce Bank. The bank picked up the baubles after a jewelry store defaulted.
March 15 -
The Treasury Department in 2010 took a massive haircut on its investment in Pacific Capital and now stands to make roughly 90 cents on the dollar from the bank's sale to UnionBanCal. It's a reminder that taking your lumps early on problem assets can be beneficial.
March 15 -
The Colorado Bankers Association has launched a website to serve as a resource guide for small businesses. The site has the basics of credit, and lists several types of lenders, besides banks, that serve such borrowers.
March 13 -
For a second time in three weeks, regulators have shuttered a bank that others were unwilling to acquire.
March 12 -
Longtime community bank investor Eric Hovde has traded Washington D.C. for Wisconsin in the hopes of taking up residence in the nation's capitol.
March 9 -
For a second time in three weeks, regulators have shuttered a bank that others were unwilling to acquire.
March 9 -
A year and a half after completing its recapitalization, Sterling Financial Corp. in Spokane, Wash., has been released from an enforcement order with the Federal Reserve Board.
March 8 -
Joseph Stilwell is trying to gain seats on the mutual holding company's board with the solitary goal of getting the management team to sell.
March 8 -
Sierra Vista Bank in Folsom, Calif., is looking to start its fifth year with $6.5 million of new capital.
March 7 -
The $114 million-asset Clarkston State Bank in Michigan survived the economic downturn by significantly shrinking its assets, selling a stake in another bank and raising $8.5 million of capital. Clarkston's slow recovery could give hope to other struggling banks.
March 6 -
United Western Bancorp Inc. in Denver has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in a move that would allow the company more time to pursue its lawsuit against federal regulators for seizing its thrift in January 2011.
March 5 -
Beach Business Bank recently agreed to settle a lawsuit brought against it by shareholders corralled by a law firm specializing in litigation tied to acquisitions. Those types of investigations used to be reserved for larger deals but are quickly becoming a mainstay as consolidation picks up.
March 1 -
Boston Private Financial Holdings Inc. has put some of its excess capital to work by repurchasing 5.4 million warrants in a move that would eliminate potential dilution.
February 28 -
The Wisconsin private equity company, not to be confused with the New York firm, wants more capital to invest in smaller banks. Jon Bruss, the company's CEO, shares his thoughts on banking, private equity and what the future holds for struggling banks.
February 28 -
Even in banking, sometimes less is more. Bank of York in South Carolina learned that during the summer of 2011 when it streamlined its ComplianceOne loan document management system.
February 28 -
Nearly two years after receiving a $200 million infusion from a group led by WL Ross & Co. to execute a roll-up strategy in the Midwest, Talmer Bancorp has received a second serving of capital to help it bankroll further deals.
February 26 -
Two banks failed on Friday, with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. only finding a buyer for one of the fallen institutions.
February 24 -
The growth-hungry Opus Bank in Irvine, Calif., is making good on its plans to grow organically alongside acquisitions.
February 21 -
Reviving a dead bank is as difficult as unscrambling an egg, but executives of the former United Western Bank are still trying to put their failed thrift back together again.
February 21 -
First Place Financial Corp. in Warren, Ohio said it was not able to file its results for the quarter ending Dec. 31, marking its sixth consecutive quarter in the dark, as its massive multi-year restatement drags on.
February 21
