KeyCorp (KEY) in Cleveland reported higher fourth-quarter earnings from a year earlier after cutting expenses and booking more loans.

HomeTrust Bancshares (HTBI) in Asheville, N.C., has agreed to buy Jefferson Bancshares (JFBI) in Morristown, Tenn.

T-Mobile's bid to provide basic checking services to its mobile phone customers is the latest signal that banks are losing the low end of the consumer market.

East West Bancorp (EWBC) in Pasadena, Calif., reported improved quarterly results after credit costs declined.

Bank deposit advances, which strongly resemble payday loans, have been facing extinction since coming into the crosshairs of federal banking regulators.

The fallout from the recent Target and Neiman Marcus security breaches has led to a war of words between bankers and retailers.

Tumbling mortgage banking revenue reduced Umpqua Holdings' (UMPQ) fourth-quarter profit.

Texas Capital Bancshares (TCBI) is planning to sell 1.25 million shares of common stock in a public offering.

ServisFirst Bancshares in Birmingham, Ala., has launched a health care banking division.

BancorpSouth (BXS) in Tupelo, Miss., is making to most out of its return to bank acquisitions.

Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, Regions and Fifth Third have all dropped out of the deposit advance business after federal regulators imposed new restrictions on the products, which are similar to payday loans. American Banker editors discuss the implications for banks, for the nonbank payday lenders who are facing regulation from other entities, and from the customers who may look elsewhere for alternative sources of short-term credit.

Banks have long struggled to migrate financial relationships onto mobile devices and to attract the underserved. Carriers like T-Mobile, on the other hand, come into the market with a distinct advantage.

Leading indicators are still so-so, but normally bearish U.S. Bancorp CEO Richard Davis predicts more loan demand in the second half based on his conversations with customers, who he says want to "get things moving."

The investigation's nickname is "Operation Choke Point," and that seems appropriate, because a noose appears to be tightening around the necks of banks that have ties to online payday lenders.

Cardinal Financial Corp. (CFNL) in McLean, Va., reported a sharp drop in quarterly profits as mortgage banking revenue plummeted.

A Michigan woman charged with embezzling $135,000 from collection agency Mid-Michigan Collection Bureau, where she was employed, received a sentence of one year in jail and an order to pay restitution, Clinton County (Mich.) Circuit Court Judge Michelle Rick announced this week.

Univest Corp. of Pennsylvania (UVSP) in Souderton reported lower fourth-quarter profit after an acquisition led to higher expenses.

Fulton Financial (FULT) in Lancaster, Pa., has added its name to the growing list of banks closing branches to cut costs.

Executives at Lead Bank in Garden City, Mo., are hopeful that offering small businesses more high-touch services, such as consulting, will provide an advantage in an area that has become fiercely competitive.

CenterState Banks (CSFL) in Davenport, Fla., plans to close 13% of its branches and fire 57 employees.