Premier Financial Bancorp Inc. in Huntington, W.Va., said Tuesday that its fourth-quarter earnings fell nearly 50% from a year earlier, to $2.5 million.

Republic Bancorp Inc. has accused the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. of multiple abuses of its authority, escalating an ongoing battle over refund-anticipation loans.

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International Bancshares Corp. in Laredo, Texas, said Monday that its net income fell 10% in 2010, to $116.9 million.

The National Credit Union Administration said credit unions that charge fees for automatic identity theft protection as part of free checking may be engaging in unfair and deceptive practices.

The Bancorp Inc. in Wilmington, Del., said Monday that it is trying to increase its equity by $50 million.

Regulators have ordered Sunwest Bank in Tustin, Calif., to improve its compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act.

Carver Bancorp Inc. in New York said Monday that one of its units has received $25 million in tax credits to spur investments in low-income communities.

Flagstar Bancorp Inc. in Troy, Mich., on Monday announced several additions to its executive team.

Some bankers might say credit quality is the biggest challenge when taking over a bank. But for many the biggest is dealing with the people they inherit.

A host of providers are offering small banks a way to share knowledge on a wide range of topics where information does not necessarily create a competitive advantage.

WASHINGTON — Regulators seized the $124 million-asset Valley Community Bank in St. Charles, Ill., late Friday in the 23rd bank failure of the year.

Michigan First Credit Union, the latest credit union to launch a Young & Free marketing campaign, is searching for a "spokester." The Young & Free campaign was designed by Currency Marketing of Chilliwack, British Columbia.

BankAtlantic Bancorp must raise more capital, limit the growth of its brokered deposits and make other improvements under an agreement with the Office of Thrift Supervision.

Heritage Financial Group Inc. of Albany, Ga., said Friday that it has shuffled its management and brought on a new executive to further its expansion strategy.

Though more information is a step in the right direction, analysts said, the discretion given banks in satisfying the rules may undermine attempts at transparency.

WASHINGTON — Regulators seized the $124 million-asset Valley Community Bank in St. Charles, Ill., late Friday in the 23rd bank failure of the year.

BankAtlantic will have to raise more capital, limit the growth of its brokered deposits and make other improvements under an agreement with the Office of Thrift Supervision.

Wilmington Trust Corp. said Thursday that a unit has entered into a supervisory agreement with regulators requiring it to boost capital and reduce bad loans.

Pentagon Federal Credit Union in Alexandria, Va., has announced that it plans to open at least 10 PenFed Realty offices, boosting employment by up to 1,000 agents by yearend.