Bay Commercial Bank (BCML) in Walnut Creek, Calif., has agreed to buy Bank On It Inc. (BKOT) in Stockton, Calif.

Community Trust Bancorp (CTBI) in Pikeville, Ky., posted lower profit in the fourth quarter as sanctions tied to a Federal Reserve Board investigation took a bite out of earnings.

Digital currency startup Circle Internet Financial has expanded its high-profile lineup of leaders, appointing a Goldman Sachs director to its board of directors and naming veterans from American Express and Google to its advisory board.

Westamerica Bancorp (WABC) of San Rafael, Calif., posted net income of $16.1 million for the fourth quarter, a 16.1% decrease from a year earlier.

Chain Bridge Bancorp in McLean, Va., has hired a former Wells Fargo (WFC) banker as its bank's president.

Bank Mutual (BKMU) in Brown Deer, Wis., reported higher earnings due mostly to improved credit quality.

Citigroup Inc. (C), the third-largest U.S. lender, agreed to sell servicing rights for about 64,000 Fannie Mae residential first-mortgage loans as it seeks to reduce a portfolio of unwanted assets.

Simmons First National (SFNC) in Pine Bluff, Ark., plans to close 27 branches, according to regulatory filings.

The number of U.S. properties saddled with foreclosures last year dropped 26 percent from 2012, according to RealtyTrac, an online real estate firm.

First Republic Bank (FRC) in San Francisco posted slightly higher earnings in the fourth quarter thanks to higher revenue from loans and improved credit quality.

The Treasury Department plans to sell $3 billion of Ally Financial Inc. common stock, reducing taxpayers' stake in the firm to 37 percent.

I would feel better about banking at a place that took an active role in educating the public on the financial system. I would also appreciate a complete breakdown on any puzzling paperwork, confusing mathematics or common mistakes when I sign up for an account.

PrivateBancorp (PVTB) in Chicago posted higher quarterly earnings because of improved credit quality and lower expenses.

MB Financial (MBFI) in Chicago reported a minor dip in quarterly earnings as net interest income fell.

Flagstar Bancorp (FBC) in Troy, Mich., announced Thursday it is laying off approximately 600 employees as part of a cost cutting measure.

Soo Bong Min, the president and chief executive of BBCN Bank in Los Angeles, has stepped down after less than a year on the job.

Citigroup (NYSE: C) plans to send new debit cards to customers affected by the Target data breach, The New York Times reported Thursday.

Debit cardholders would feel more appreciated if their bank voluntarily notified them prior to overdrafts and offered to mail statements in languages other than English.

U.S. foreclosure activity during all of 2013 dropped 26% compared to 2012 to 1.361m properties, its lowest level since 2007 (1.3m filings), according to RealtyTrac U.S. Foreclosure Market Report.

Huntington Bancshares' (HBAN) fourth-quarter profits fell 6% from the same quarter in 2012, to $158 million, due largely to a sharp decline in mortgage banking income.