Community West Bancshares in Goleta, Calif., has promoted Michael Phlaum to executive vice president and chief operating officer of its bank unit.

Eastern Bank, a mutual thrift in Boston, can only offer cash when trying to buy other banks. Many sellers prefer stock, but Eastern has been able to consistently make acquisitions using its all-cash approach.

Citadel EFT, a credit card processing firm, announced Tuesday that it is exploring ways to allow state-licensed marijuana businesses to accept electronic payments from their customers.

Zions Bancorp. (ZIONS) in Salt Lake City has named Scott McLean as its new president.

Many banks are eager to bulk up through acquisitions, but most have very specific criteria in what they want and are unwilling to settle for anything less, says McGladrey's Bob Browne.

The boards of directors of HomeTrust Bancshares (HTBI) and Bank of Commerce have reached a definitive agreement to form a strategic partnership for an undisclosed price.

Guaranty Federal Bancshares (GFED) in Springfield, Mo., plans to raise roughly $15 million in an initial public offering.

Banner Bank in Walla Walla, Wash., has entered into a business partnership with wealth management firm Coldstream Capital Management in Bellevue, Wash.

The former owner of a Minnesota collection agency pleaded guilty Monday in Minnesota district court to one felony count each of theft and theft by swindle, according to the Dakota County (Minn.) Attorney's Office.

No technology yet is as effective at initiating and/or strengthening real relationships as smiles, personal conversations and consultations are.

Eastern Bank in Boston has agreed to acquire Centrix Bank & Trust in New Hampshire in what would be Eastern's first expansion outside Massachusetts.

Borrowers are taking on higher credit balances after dropping more than $1.5 trillion in mortgage debt since the financial crisis, according to a report from Equifax.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), the biggest U.S. bank, agreed to pay bond insurer Syncora Guarantee Inc. $400 million to end lawsuits over mortgage-backed securities.

BBVA Compass (BBVA) of Birmingham, Ala., has opened two new banking centers in The Woodlands, Texas, a fast-growing suburb north of Houston.

A group of marketers agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they took part in a scheme that bombarded consumers with tens of millions of spam text messages that lured consumers with phony gift card offers, and then directed recipients to deceptive websites.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is calling on the largest U.S. credit card companies to make credit scores and other related content freely available to customers.

Carrington Holding Co. has acquired Clear Financial Solutions Limited, a residential mortgage brokerage based in Scotland, in a move that marks the U.S. mortgage conglomerate's expansion overseas.

Rules enacted last year appear to be steadily forcing banks to exit the mortgage servicing business, transferring such rights to nonbanks. The situation is stoking fears on Capitol Hill and elsewhere that regulators went too far.

More credit card companies are offering free credit scores to their customers as they look for ways to distinguish their products from those of their rivals.

Capital One (COF) has appointed Daniel deBrauwere head of business credit, a newly created role at the bank's asset-based commercial lending and specialty finance unit.