The company will pay $29 million for a bank located northwest of Grand Rapids.

Though there were several high-profile mergers of equals among bigger banks, deal activity rose only slightly, and the vast majority of transactions involved the smallest of institutions. Here's an overview of those trends and others that stood out in bank dealmaking last year.

Banks had the highest turnover of chief compliance officers among the 100 largest financial services firms in the world, according to a recent study. Recruiters say that’s a function of changing job demands, high pressure and poaching by fintechs — plus old-fashioned demographics.

Organizers of TYME Bank aim to take advantage of consolidation taking place around Texas.

Michael Troutman will serve as chief revenue officer at Bay Banks of Virginia, where he will advise management and the board on growth opportunities.

Steuben Trust received two bites from potential MOE partners, but the New York bank’s lightly traded stock and many other challenges forced a sale to a much larger rival instead.

Franklin Financial CEO J. Myers Jones is trying to reduce his company's exposure to shared national credits and health care loans, which have enjoyed solid yields but come with a downside.

The three federal agencies announced slight adjustments in the cutoffs for "small" and "intermediate small" institutions for the purposes of Community Reinvestment Act exams.

Political uncertainty, sector-specific concerns as well as interest rate and labor trends may continue to depress commercial and industrial lending in the coming months.

Susan Riel succeeded Ronald Paul as CEO of the Maryland bank shortly before questions surfaced about credit quality and lending practices.

Organizers of Bank of St. George still need to raise $18 million before opening.

Wells Fargo's continued leadership shake-up led to more executive shuffling in the final two months of 2019.

Tom Lopp abruptly suspended a program that accounted for 83% of Sterling Bancorp's mortgage production this year. An ongoing audit of the program and pressure to diversify beyond mortgages are reasons to watch Lopp and Sterling in 2020.

Low rates and spotty loan demand mean banks are having to “dig deeper” to improve efficiency and maintain profit margins.

Spirit of Texas Bancshares is acquiring four branches and a loan production office from Simmons First National as part of an aggressive expansion in its home state.

Incoming CEO Clint Stein said the Tacoma, Wash., company is ready to revisit deals after spending three years updating its digital platforms.

Paul Murphy took full responsibility for a recent spike in charge-offs at the Houston company. His challenge in 2020 is keeping credit issues in check.

One found a buyer, another announced plans to retire, and others took steps to reinvent their banks.

The New Jersey company will pay $63 million for the parent of Victory State Bank.

The community bank lobby has said the recent deals are another reason to rein in the credit union sector. Some House members are beginning to take notice.