Cap Markets

Investar will pay $46 million in cash for Citizens, which has three branches and $246 million in assets.

The New York bank will double in size while gaining greater access to Long Island and low-cost deposits that should come in handy as interest rates rise.

Premier Asset Management will add $550 million of assets under management to a platform that First Midwest has historically built with organic growth.

The agreement comes three months after Astoria and New York Community Bancorp called off plans to merge.

A Federal Reserve proposal to set higher capital requirements for certain physical commodities may contravene Congress’ intent by making possession of those assets financially untenable, financial groups claim.

A strong economy, an abundance of small businesses and a shakeout from industry consolidation are making the area between Los Angeles and San Diego appealing to bank organizers.

It would encourage tighter underwriting of commercial mortgages, something the investors say is sorely needed.

Longer loan terms may be compounding losses when cars are repossessed, a portfolio manager says.

As part of the closure, the Hong Kong company — whose brand in U.S. banking was closely linked with Mayo — has shut down its widely followed research division.

It’s unclear whether connecting lenders and borrowers over the internet offers any advantages over traditional lending, according to panelists at the Structured Finance Industry Group conference in Vegas.