Think twice about buying a far-away bank. Consider getting into equipment leasing. Trust your instincts in credit decisions. Those are among the insights from a slew of research papers on community banks presented at a Federal Reserve conference last week.

Jacksonville Bancorp (JAXB) in Florida is planning a reverse stock split that would allow its shares to keep trading on the Nasdaq exchange.

Lenders are increasingly anxious about how to deal with the Department of Housing and Urban Development's recent proposal concerning the definition of "qualified mortgages," noting the agency's plan differs in key respects from the CFPB's QM rule.

First National Bank of New York is selling to Bridge Bancorp 18 months after its recapitalization because additional capital was elusive. For Bridge, the deal expands its reach closer to New York City. Similar scenarios will happen elsewhere.

A government guarantee must be accompanied by an obligation to responsibly serve creditworthy borrowers. Without that mechanism, many creditworthy taxpayers will be left with no access.

Pulaski Financial (PULB) in St. Louis is losing the president of its mortgage division.

O'Neill, a co-founder of Sandler O'Neill & Partners, knows skeptics are questioning his plan to start an investment bank. But there are thousands of banks and they will always need M&A advice, he says.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is auctioning off roughly $5 billion of nonperforming Federal Housing Administration loans in what is believed to be one of the largest-ever sales of distressed residential real estate.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. reported continued positive signs about the health of its insurance fund, and said improvement in the industry has also meant lower premiums for some institutions.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. told banks under its watch to prioritize "prudent interest rate risk oversight."

The Dodd-Frank Act and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau might end up denying crucial funds to nations emerging from war, a new study says.

Mortgage firm PHH Corp. (PHH) is considering a plan to split and sell its mortgage and auto fleet leasing businesses, according to a Reuters report Monday.

BBVA Compass (BBVA) in Birmingham, Ala., is launching a suite of four checking products, each designed to meet the needs of specific customer segments.

A wave of management changes at Korean-American banks highlights the difficulties of filling key posts in a niche banking industry.

The Federal Reserve Board has freed Bank Hapoalim from an order that had required the Israeli bank to tighten its anti-money laundering oversight.

Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) in Columbus, Ohio, has appointed a new leader of its market in southern Ohio and Kentucky.

Huntington Bancorp (HBAN) in Columbus, Ohio, has appointed a new leader of its market in southern Ohio and Kentucky.

A group that includes the co-founder of Sandler O'Neill & Partners has started a new investment bank aimed at community and regional banks.

A well-structured mortgage business will generate strong revenues that can help offset declines elsewhere, regulatory challenges and interest rate volatility notwithstanding.

Low interest rates and fierce competition for loans will drive down third-quarter earnings at most large banks, analysts say.