Existing-home sales plummeted in November, confirming fears in the mortgage industry that a new consumer disclosure rule is delaying mortgage closings.

Franklin Savings Bank in Franklin, N.H., has tapped its chief operating officer to succeed Jeffery Savage, when he retires as CEO next year.

Europe’s largest debt collector announced plans to make more acquisitions as it looks to build its presence in credit management services.

Another institution helped push New York Community Bancorp to add cash to its bid, a filing disclosed. While Astoria's board was concerned about NYCB's plans for an aggressive balance sheet restructuring and capital raise, management believed the other suitor's offer had more execution risk.

California Republic Bancorp in Irvine has securitized $380 million of its prime auto loans.

The Connecticut Department of Banking claims a Native American tribe in Oklahoma is running two illegal high-interest loan operations but the tribe has won a delay in its battle against the imposition of $800,000 in penalties.

Tri-Valley Bank in San Ramon, Calif., said that its largest individual shareholder is making a bid to double his stake.

Finally released from a long-standing regulatory order, FNBH in Michigan is looking forward to ramping its lending, expanding its capabilities in wealth management and moving forward on plans to revamp its core processing system.

California Republic Bancorp in Irvine has securitized $380 million of its prime auto loans.

Rockhold, Brown & Co. Bank in Bainbridge, Ohio, has tapped its chief financial officer to succeed Bill Hubbard as chief executive.

Some mortgage investors are refusing to buy home loans that are at risk of violations of new consumer-disclosure rules. The problem appears to be worst among nonagency jumbo loans purchased by private investors.

First Farmers and Merchants in Columbia, Tenn., promoted Brian Williams to president of both the holding company and First Farmers and Merchants Bank. The $1.2 billion-asset company also named Timothy Pettus vice chairman of the holding company and bank.

Bank innovation has tended to focus on retail customers, but expect more technology for commercial customers in the coming year as those clients deman products that are easy to use and help them run more efficient enterprises.

A well-known advocate in the consumer debt relief industry is under investigation by federal authorities in Washington, D.C. and Montana for business ties to payday lenders.

Lawmakers are requiring the Department of Education to drop a formula that gives preference to four major federal student loan servicers and instead divvy up the accounts based on performance measures.

Separate actions involved a company and an individual that resold sensitive personal data to debt collectors and lenders, allegedly exposing millions of consumers to harassment and deceit.

Banks face immense challenges trying to keep up with technology, but they also must cater to older customers with big deposit accounts who still use their branch.

For steering the Winston-Salem, N.C., company through an extended period of industry adversity, while providing a blueprint for large-scale M&A, King has been named American Banker's Banker of the Year for 2015.

First United Corp. in Oakland, Md., has named Carissa Rodeheaver chairman and chief executive.

Bay Bancorp in Columbia, Md., has agreed to buy Hopkins Bancorp in Pikesville, Md., for $23.8 million in cash.