Chemical Financial Corp. (CHFC) in Midland, Mich., said Monday that its first-quarter net income rose 5% from a year earlier, to $13.8 million, thanks largely to a double-digit increase in loans and improved credit quality.

SunTrust's efficiency decline in the first quarter overshadowed a 16% profit increase, underscoring how shareholders and others are thoroughly scrutinizing bank spending in a low-growth era.

Independent Bank (IBCP) in Ionia, Mich., attributed a significant plunge in quarterly profits to a slump in mortgage refinancing activity.

Aquesta Financial Holdings (AQFH) in Cornelius, N.C., reported higher earnings that benefited from loan growth.

Some banks have made eco-friendliness their mission, while others dabble in green initiatives such as building energy-efficient branches. In honor of Earth Day, here are some examples of banks that have tied environmentalism to their business strategies.

Investors Bancorp (ISBC) in Short Hills, N.J., announced Monday that it is selling an undisclosed number of shares to the investment banks that managed its recent stock sale.

Washington Trust Bancorp (WASH) in Westerly, R.I., reported a rise in quarterly profit after it sold its merchant-processing business.

SunTrust Banks (STI) in Atlanta said its quarterly profit rose 16% as it made more commercial loans.

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First Security in Owensboro, Ky., has raised $30 million through a private placement. The $500 million-asset company said it would use the funds for organic growth and "acquisitive opportunities."

Home BancShares in Conway, Ark., has agreed to buy Florida Traditions Bank in Dade City, Fla. The $6.8 billion-asset Home said it will pay $43 million stock for the $312 million-asset Florida Traditions.

RKJS Bank, an interim company formed by a group of local Baltimore investors, won First Mariner's bankruptcy auction Tuesday after National Penn Bancshares (NPBC) in Allentown, Pa., withdrew its offer.

The Federal Reserve prohibited a former Missouri bank chairman from involvement in any bank management after he admitted to using federal bailout money to buy a luxury condominium.

Investors Bancorp (ISBC) in Short Hills, N.J. reported a surge in quarterly profit because of a stronger balance sheet.

Midsize banks remain concerned about their ability to meaningfully grow revenue at a time when yields on loans are narrowing and income from mortgage banking — a key revenue driver — continues to shrink.

Board members and prospects are nervous about personable liability, given a rise in government lawsuits against former directors of failed banks. While banks typically carry insurance for directors, it is unclear how much protection those policies provide.

Sandy Spring Bancorp in Olney, Md., said its first-quarter profit rose 3% from a year earlier, to $10.9 million. The improvement was largely because of loan growth, changes in funding costs and efforts to increase wealth management and insurance revenue, the company said.

Former Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Sheila Bair took private investors to task this week, arguing that their failure to understand and manage mortgage-market risk helped bring about the financial crisis.

Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) isn't giving up on the small-dollar loan market, Chief Executive Kevin Kabat said Thursday.

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