Under the direction of Richard Holbrook, Eastern Bank has prepared itself for the next 200 years by embracing a culture innovation, adding scale through acquisitions and advocating for the less fortunate in its community. It's an unusual formula, but it has worked and that's why he is one of American Banker's three Community Bankers of the Year for 2015.

The banking industry had mixed opinions of the Fed's decision to boost rates. Most believe 25 basis points will do little to move the needle financially, but they are apprehensive about the impact more increases will have on deposits, lending and credit quality. Here is a sampling of what bankers have said in recent days.

The $933-million asset institution said in a press release Tuesday that the technology, provided by Louisville-based R.C. Giltner Services, will enable consumer and small-business customers to complete the loan application process in minutes.

Bank officials say they are ready for rising rates; disagree on how much the initial increase would help or hurt lending and the economy; and predict more rate increases next year.

The CFPB on Wednesday issued a bulletin warning the collection industry and lenders - as well as the entire financial services industry - about potentially illegal conduct during in-person collections.

HomeStreet in Seattle has bought a branch in Dayton, Wash., from Banner Corp. in Walla Walla, Wash.

Mortgage lenders have complained bitterly about the risk and uncertainty of having to buy back defective home loans from Fannie Mae. Now Fannie is planning to offer yet another carrot to lenders that have lobbied extensively for relief from loan repurchases.

TotalBank in Miami has returned Jorge Rossell to the position of chief executive, after Luis de la Aguilera departed to take the same position at U.S. Century Bank in Doral, Fla.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau charged the company with tactics that included illegal visits to consumers at their homes.

Opus Bank in Irvine, Calif., has created a formal division for lending to municipal governments and has promoted executive Debbie McLeod to lead the venture.

Developing banking solutions for lower-income consumers means getting to the heart of the financial volatility they face trying to make ends meet.

Fearless forecasts from BankThink's stable of industry veterans, experts and critics.

Global Payments and Heartland Payment Systems have a chance to create an international powerhouse focused on small to medium sized business, restaurant and education payments, if they can meld their technology post-acquisition and retain Heartland's management.

The agency released a plan Tuesday that would provide incentives for owners of manufactured housing communities to reform their practices if they want to tap financing by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The $467 million-asset mutual thrift appointed Patricia Stetler to the role this week.

The $5.6 billion-asset multibank holding company hired Fontaine to replace Ed Hooks, who has been its counsel since 1992 and who will retire at the end of the year.

Customers Bancorp in Wyomissing, Pa., has agreed to buy the disbursements business of Higher One Holdings in New Haven, Conn.

Fannie Mae is offering yet another carrot to lenders that have lobbied extensively for relief from loan repurchases.

An interbank loan market that was created for small and regional banks has begun operations, recording $15 million in transactions on its first day.

A startup backed by philanthropist Pierre Omidyar has emerged from stealth mode with technology that promises to provide consistent value and a degree of privacy to electronic money.