Cap Markets

U.S. banks reduced their holdings of state and local government bonds for the first time since 2009 after the federal government slashed corporate tax rates, according to figures released by the Federal Reserve Thursday.

First Internet Bancorp in Fishers, Ind., which went public in 2013, could also use the capital for acquisitions and other investments.

Brand Group in Georgia was mulling a public offering but it opted to test the waters as a seller first. That decision led to one of the biggest bank deals announced this year.

The company will gain $305 million in assets after completing the $51 million acquisition.

Hilton Capital Management wants National Bankshares to buy back stock or declare a special dividend.

The subprime lender could lose a big partner now that Fiat Chrysler has officially announced it will form its own auto finance unit, and the two are negotiating an end to their 6-year-old relationship.

The company agreed to pay $32 million for Mercersburg Financial.

Organizers of CommerceOne Bank are one step closer to a planned opening this summer.

Fiat Chrysler is expected to announce Friday that it will establish its own captive finance unit in the U.S. The move could be bad news for its lending partners.

More than a third of banks formed from 2006 to 2008 no longer exist. Leaders of three banks still in business share their tips on how they have remained open — and relevant.