Cap Markets

The Chicago institution, formed in 2010 to buy the failed ShoreBank, has hired Sandler O'Neill to gauge interest from potential buyers, according to a published report.

Having solid relationships with those who cover the banking industry can lend credibility to management teams, especially when times are tough.

The as-yet-unnamed bank, which would be based near Charlotte, N.C., would be led by Randy Helton, a former CEO at American Community Bancshares.

With few foreclosed homes left to pick up on the cheap, the biggest landlords are buying, or building, new single-family homes to pad their portfolios; mortgages on these properties could show up as collateral in rental bonds.

Lenders should be encouraged to hold more credit risk in the mortgage market, rather than having it foisted on Fannie and Freddie.

The company agreed to buy Bank of River Oaks for $85 million in cash.

The online small-business lender is enjoying a payoff from its year-old push to cut costs and tighten underwriting standards. It is also set to announce another lending agreement with a major bank this year, its CEO said Tuesday.

As the economy strengthens, more banks are facing pressure to pay up for the best lenders and tech specialists.

The California company has agreed to buy Grandpoint Capital, a business bank in Los Angeles, for $641 million.

There could be a pause in new issuance as CLO managers wait to see if the government will appeal; longer term, the pace will pick up as the playing field is leveled for smaller managers.