There are too many things in M&A that buyers cannot control, including the willingness of the right targets to sell, economic conditions and the likelihood that desire will interfere with good due diligence, two Midwest bankers warn.

Bank of America Corp.'s proposed $8.5 billion settlement with mortgage-bond investors, including BlackRock Inc. (BLK) and Pacific Investment Management Co., was approved by a New York state judge, except for some loan modification claims.

AltaPacific Bancorp (ABNK) in Santa Rosa, Calif., has agreed to buy Mission Oaks Bancorp (MOKB) in Temecula, Calif.

Shares in prepaid card issuer Green Dot (GDOT) tumbled Friday amid fears that the firm would need to keep spending heavily to stave off new competitors, such as T-Mobile.

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

WSFS Financial (WSFS) in Wilmington, Del., realized some of the benefits of its M&A strategy last quarter.

The central bank of Estonia, where Swedish banks dominate the lending market, urged consumers to steer clear of Bitcoin and similar virtual currencies, warning such software could prove to be little more than a "Ponzi scheme."

Investors Bancorp (ISBC) in Short Hills, N.J., which is poised for a second-step conversion, saw quarterly profits soar on big loan growth.

The Federal Housing Administration's long-awaited decision to start accepting electronic signatures on mortgage documents will cut down on costs and streamline operations for banks and other mortgage lenders. But the industry still faces several hurdles before it can reap the benefits of this technology upgrade.

For some, 2013 may be remembered as the toughest regulatory year on record. New regulation will likely slow this year, but scrutiny is expected to rise.

The likes of Apple and Amazon are becoming bigger threats to incumbent payments companies, but MasterCard CEO Ajay Banga says his company views these players as potential allies.

Salisbury Bank and Trust (SAL) in Lakeville, Conn., has agreed to purchase a branch from Union Savings Bank in Danbury, Conn.

The consulting firm Promontory Financial Group has established an awards program to spotlight efforts by small financial firms to serve the underbanked.

Provident Financial Services (PFS) of Iselin, N.J., said Friday that it earned $17.4 million in the fourth quarter, up 4.2% from the same quarter a year prior, due largely to improved asset quality.

Kearny Financial Corp. (KRNY) in Fairfield, N.J., has agreed to buy Atlas Bank in Brooklyn, N.Y.

MasterCard reported fourth-quarter profit that missed analysts' estimates as expenses climbed. Net income rose 3 percent to $623 million, or 52 cents a share, from $605 million, or 49 cents, adjusted for a stock split

One could imagine a postal bank as a feeder service that brings unbanked consumers into the mainstream financial system and then graduates them to private institutions.

A big payment to a former executive and a decline in fee income hurt earnings at Brookline Bancorp (BRKL) in Boston last quarter.

A federal judge has reduced to $1.62 million the amount a jury had awarded an Oregon woman who spent years battling with Equifax.

Lakeland Bancorp (LBAI) in Oak Ridge, N.J., reported higher net income after buying Somerset Hills Bancorp.