Analysts are concerned that a number of banks have been reluctant to cut costs. In some instances, banks are still hiring in hopes of boosting income.

First Scottsdale Bank (FSB) in Scottsdale, Ariz., and CBOA Financial (CBOF) in Tucson, Ariz., have terminated plans to merge.

Southside Bancshares (SBSI) in Tyler, Texas, posted a dip in third-quarter earnings because of a big decline in gains from the sale of securities.

With Chairman Hensarling's plan to overhaul the mortgage finance market stuck in limbo, several Democrats have begun work on alternative proposals that could further divide support for the GOP bill.

National Penn Bancshares (NPBC) in Boyertown, Pa., reported a slightly lower quarterly profit as its mortgage fees fell, but it still met Wall Street's earnings forecasts.

TCF Financial Corp. (TCB) in Wayzata, Minn., met Wall Street's quarterly earnings estimates as lower charges related to bad assets made up for a decline in revenue.

SouthCrest Financial Group (SCSG) in Peachtree City, Ga., has raised nearly $18 million and plans to merge its banks.

Hancock Holding (HBHC) in Gulfport, Miss., reported lower quarterly earnings after taking a charge tied to branch closures and other expense reductions.

Citigroup Inc., the third-biggest U.S. bank, is selling mortgage-servicing rights on $63 billion of loans, or about 21 percent of its total contracts at midyear, according to two people briefed on the matter, who asked not to be identified because the sale is private.

Coast Bancorp (CTBP) in San Luis Obispo, Calif., has hired a new chief financial officer.

National Bank Holdings (NBHC) in Greenwood Village, Colo., cut expenses to compensate for lower revenue in the third quarter.

First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) in Cincinnati posted lower profits in the third quarter on reduced loan and other revenue.

The $17 billion-asset company said late Thursday that Patrick Barrett will succeed Charles Nugent, who is retiring at the end of this year.

SVB Financial (SVB) in Santa Clara, Calif., reported a 60% increase in quarterly profit after investment securities it holds rose more than ninefold in value.

Nobody has told banks in the northwestern U.S. that bank M&A is in the doldrums. Two deals were announced and another terminated there after the markets closed Wednesday, and that will put pressure on banks in the region to keep buying each other.

Sterling Financial (STSA) in Spokane, Wash., reported lower quarterly earnings after suffering a decline in mortgage banking revenue.

WesBanco (WSBC) in Wheeling, W.Va., has hired a Fifth Third (FITB) executive to be its chief operating officer, and plans to promote him to chief executive next year.

Edward DeMarco, acting director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, said Thursday that the agency has no immediate plans to lower the size of the loans the government-sponsored enterprises can buy, though he left the door open for future reductions.

State Bank Financial (STBZ) in Atlanta reported higher quarterly earnings tied to loans it obtained from buying failed banks.