The hangover from real-estate owned properties on bank balance sheets was expected to last quite a while. But the problem has all but dissipated, thanks to heavy interest in the secondary market for REO and a fast rise in home prices.

Wells Fargo has temporarily stopped selling defaulted consumer debts to collections agencies. Its move follows a more drastic pullback by JPMorgan Chase and a regulatory crackdown on the collections industry.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority granted preliminary approval for Park Community FCU to receive as much as $160,000 in tax incentives for building a new headquarters, where it plans to consolidate offices of 75 to 80 employees now scattered in three Louisville buildings.

HomeStreet in Seattle plans to buy two small Washington lenders for a total of $37.3 million.

Hudson Valley Holding (HVB) in Yonkers, N.Y., has hired a former chief credit officer at Merrill Lynch Bank USA.

First BanCorp (FBP) in San Juan, P,R., reported a large quarterly loss as it purged its nonperforming assets.

Tri-County Financial Corp. in Waldorf, Md., will change its name to Community Financial Corp.

Rival bankers who operate in Chicago have been giving their takes — some sarcastic, others serious, yet others cautious — about the competitive effect of MB Financial's deal to buy Taylor Capital.

Expense control is getting extra attention at several smaller banks this earnings season, though the reasons for the scrutiny vary depending on the institution.

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

Former small business owner George Noga shares Fiserv's research and philosophy about how community banks can better serve and profit from small business customers.

Synovus Financial (SNV) in Columbus, Ga., has redeemed its Troubled Asset Relief Program shares after raising cash in two stock offerings.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. took seven enforcement actions and freed 13 banks from orders in June, according to a list of regulatory actions released Friday.

InsBank in Nashville, Tenn., has created a division that will focus on serving physicians.

State laws requiring money-transmitter licenses have raised the barriers to entry for startups trying to compete with banks and entrenched companies like PayPal. But by keeping out smaller, more nimble payments companies, state regulators could affect the banking industry's long-term innovation and growth.

The use of social media channels promotes transparency, enhances customer service and helps establish a senior bank executive as the most accurate and trusted source of company information.

SVB Financial Group (SIVB) in Santa Clara, Calif., benefited from higher lending income and investment gains last quarter.

Quarterly profit of Investors Bancorp in Short Hills, N.J., rose 20%, as acquisitions led to higher lending income.

U.S. Century Bank in Doral, Fla., has postponed a shareholder vote on a $50 million capital injection.

Bank of Marin Bancorp in Novato, Calif., has completed its search for a new chief financial officer.