Synovus Financial (SNV) tripled profits thanks partly to broad loan growth and recent branch sales. The Columbus, Ga., company reported earnings of $45.9 million in the first quarter, up from $14.8 million.

Citigroup Inc. (C) is seeking bidders for about 50 branches holding $3 billion in California as the third-largest U.S. lender pares brick-and-mortar outlets, said three people involved in the process.

UMB Financial (UMBF) in Kansas City, Mo., reported lower quarterly results that largely reflected merger-related expenses.

Buoyed by strong loan and deposit growth, Signature Bank (SBNY) in New York said Tuesday that its first-quarter profits climbed 30% from the same period last year, to $66 million.

Community banks need a steady flow of prospects. A partnership with a successful retail concept virtually guarantees constant customer traffic.

Bank of New York Mellon Corp., the world's largest custody bank, reported a first-quarter profit after a loss a year ago as rising stock markets lifted assets and fees for overseeing them.

Regions Financial (RF) in Birmingham, Ala., reported lower first-quarter results as improved credit and lower expenses failed to completely offset a steep decline in mortgage revenue.

BancorpSouth (BXS) in Tupelo, Miss., reported higher quarterly profit fueled by acquisitions and improved operating performance.

Heritage Financial (HBOS) in Albany, Ga., has agreed to buy Alarion Financial Services in Ocala, Fla.

NewBridge Bancorp (NBBC) in Greensboro, N.C., is planning to retool its retail banking operations in a move that will eliminate 5% of its work force.

Community Bank Shares of Indiana (CBIN) in New Albany has agreed to buy First Financial Service (FFKY) in Elizabethtown, Ky.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is raising concerns about a caveat in private student loan contracts that allows lenders to automatically put a borrower in default when a co-signer faces certain kinds of hardship.

Bank of Hawaii (BOH) increased earnings thanks to stronger returns from a growing asset base and other factors.

Peoples Bancorp (PEBO) in Marietta, Ohio, has agreed to buy North Akron Savings Bank in Ohio. Peoples said in a press release Monday that it will pay about $20.1 million in cash and stock for the $147 million-asset North Akron Savings.

Regulator Benjamin Lawsky is concerned that Hubzu, a website run by Ocwen's Alitsource affiliate, charges inflated fees "through conflicted business relationships" at the expense of mortgage investors and strapped homeowners.

Zions Bancorp. (ZION) in Salt Lake City reported lower quarterly earnings after its net interest income dipped.

Capital Bank Financial (CBF) in Coral Gables, Fla., nearly doubled earnings in the first quarter thanks to asset quality improvements.

Umpqua Holdings (UMPQ) in Portland, Ore., reported a steep dip in quarterly profits because of merger-related expenses and lower mortgage banking revenue.

First Defiance Financial (FDEF) in Defiance, Ohio, isn't going to buy First Community Bank in Columbus, Ohio, after all.

Arrow Financial Corporation (AROW) in Glens Falls, N.Y., said Monday that its first-quarter earnings climbed nearly 3% from the same period last year, to $5.3 million, as its loan portfolio continued to expand and asset quality remained strong.