Two years into the financial crisis, spreads have widened considerably, and Beal's buying is in overdrive. Its assets surged 135% from a year earlier, to $7.5 billion at June 30.

In reporting a $12.6 million third-quarter loss, Cascade Bancorp also announced it has a second regulatory order — private-equity firm willing to give it an infusion.

In reporting a $12.6 million third-quarter loss, Cascade Bancorp of Bend, Ore., also announced it has a second regulatory order — and a private-equity firm willing to give it an infusion.

For the first time in more than two years, nonperforming assets at Atlantic Coast Federal Corp. in Waycross, Ga., went down.

Intermountain Community Bancorp in Sandpoint, Idaho, said its third-quarter loss narrowed by 76% from the second quarter, to $2.7M, or 32 cents a share, as asset quality improved.

For the first time in more than two years, nonperforming assets at Atlantic Coast Federal Corp. in Waycross, Ga., went down.

Intermountain Community Bancorp in Sandpoint, Idaho, said its third-quarter loss narrowed by 76% from the second quarter, to $2.7 million, or 32 cents a share, as asset quality improved.

Credit quality at the Melrose Park, Ill., company took such a sharp nosedive in the third quarter that analysts said it is technically insolvent, with a negative tangible common equity ratio.

With 100 million underbanked consumers, credit products will have to meet consumer needs, be transparent, be fairly priced, help consumers build credit, and have solid underwriting.

Susquehanna Bancshares Inc. reported a surprise 7.3% increase in third-quarter earnings thanks to a surge in noninterest income offsetting soaring loan-loss provisions.

MIDWEST

The latest proposal to deal with systematic risk rankles bankers in the industry's middle tier, who are being asked to share the costs of seizing much larger — and very different — institutions.

The Federal Reserve has ordered Cascade Bancorp of Bend, Ore., to provide it with a plan to maintain sufficient capital.

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In reporting the loss of $156.4 million — by far the largest of its seven consecutive quarterly losses — William R. McManaman, Amcore's chairman and chief executive officer, said in a press release that a stock offering would be unlikely to succeed but that it continues to pursue other options for raising capital.

A thrift's unusually structured deal to take over a nonbank commercial lender encapsulates the key challenges facing both sectors: capital for the depositories and funding for the finance companies.

The Federal Reserve Board used its prompt corrective action powers Tuesday on SolutionsBank of Overland Park, Kan., after deeming it undercapitalized.

For the first time in nine years, Congress is poised to pass a bill reauthorizing the SBA, but different approaches by the House and Senate could still undercut the effort.

I support the Treasury Department's announcement of core principles for regulatory capital standards. Higher capital standards will enhance the stability of the financial system.

Metro Bancorp in Harrisburg, Pa., swung to a $490,000 loss in the third quarter, but said it plans to use the $77.9M of capital it just raised to complete its pending acquisition of Republic First Bancorp in Philadelphia and continue growing aggressively.