Mergers and acquisitions have gained steam in early 2014. Here is a rundown of the whole-bank deals, shedding of noncore businesses and swapping of securities so far this year.

Home Federal Savings Bank in Rochester, Minn., has been freed from a supervisory agreement with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

Vibra Bank in Chula Vista, Calif., has hired a president and chief executive.

A South Dakota lawmaker has proposed a bill he hopes the state's legislature will pass to put restrictions on short-term payday loans.

First Financial Holdings (SCBT) in Columbia, S.C., is planning to change its name for the second time in as many years.

CVB Financial (CVBF) in Ontario, Calif., has agreed to buy America Bancshares in Newport Beach, Calif.

Bangkok Bank Public Co. Ltd. hopes to take advantage of Thailand's easy financial infrastructure to enable a number of new payment options, such as cross-institutional person-to-person payments made from a mobile phone or an ATM.

The future of bank M&A took clearer shape in 2013. A certain kind of deal, the merger of equals, rose to the fore and that momentum has carried into 2014. The trend coincides with a change in dealmaking styles. Buyers used to win banks in pricey, unpredictable auctions. Now they have to be friendly masters of the negotiating table, and often have to conduct patient talks over an extended period of time. It all sounds very friendly, but it's hard to do.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency plans to release Associated Banc-Corp (ASBC) in Green Bay, Wis., from a February 2012 consent order.

A recap of the informed opinions (and the discussions they generated) on BankThink this week.

First Security Bank of Malta in Montana has been freed from a prompt corrective action issued by the Federal Reserve Board.

Banks are preaching the importance of getting low-cost deposits on their books now, ahead of new Basel liquidity rules, and the impending rise of interest rates.

These deals are hard to put together but are well worth it -- if management teams can get through the problems of working together. Sterne Agee's Michael Barry and Daryle DiLascia explain.

Baltimore County Savings Bank's 16 branches will officially open next week as branches of First National Bank of Hermitage, Pa.

Buyers used to win banks in pricey, unpredictable auctions. Now they have to be friendly masters of the negotiating table.

Federal authorities on Friday took their most forceful step to date toward bringing state-licensed marijuana businesses into the financial mainstream.

The California company ended three years of loan runoff after expanding into San Diego and adding managers for its agribusiness, construction and mortgage operations. What it would really like to do next is find the perfect acquisition.

Community banks are facing mounting competition from bigger companies, regulators and consulting firms as they try to staff up in their compliance departments. American Banker editors discuss how small banks can compete for the best compliance personnel and what they should be looking for in potential new hires.

A group that advocates for more women on corporate boards has honored Royal Bank of Canada and KeyCorp (KEY) Chief Executive Beth Mooney for promoting diversity within their ranks.

Bond Street Holdings in Weston, Fla., plans to close four of the 25 branches it acquired from Great Florida Bank in Miami Lakes.