During the last century, economic growth in the United States was unparalleled. A large portion of that growth came from the explosion of capital formation for small companies. It is high time that America gets back to that future.

Several community banks have decided to forgo an appeal of decisions by major stock exchanges to delist their shares, deciding the benefits of a listing aren't worth the cost of the fight.

Citigroup Inc.'s $285 million settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over mortgage-backed securities was rejected by federal judge who said he hadn't been given enough facts to approve it.

Taylor Capital Group Inc. in Chicago is looking to add up to $72 million in common equity that it says would strengthen its capital position and give it the flexibility to pursue growth opportunities.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sets up offices to oversee three financially vulnerable groups.

Analysts believe that community banks face new challenges in 2012 after addressing capital and credit issues.

And in good news for the economy, online spending over the Thanksgiving weekend was dramatically higher than last year.

Raymond James Financial Inc. named company executive Dennis Zank as its new chief operating officer, one of a handful of executive changes at the investment-banking and wealth-management firm.

Nara Bancorp and Center Financial Corp. will operate under the name BBCN Bank with a new corporate logo after the merger of the two companies is completed.

Coming off its 13th consecutive quarterly loss and struggling to meet capital requirements set by regulators, Atlantic Coast Financial Corp. in Jacksonville, Fla., is considering selling itself to another bank.

Atlantic Coast Financial Corp. said it will explore strategic options, including a potential business combination, after it didn't meet minimum capital requirements and has posted four straight quarters of losses.

GLASTONBURY, Conn.-Highly efficient branches using teller capture are saving the front-line team 80% of their daily keystrokes and significantly shortening end-of-day activities.

Like roaches, op risks hide well, multiply quickly, and should be everyone’s problem to stomp out.

Bank of the West can outmaneuver larger competitors in serving more affluent clients, the bank's John Bahnken says.

Bank of Ireland, the nation's largest bank by assets, may sell Burdale Finance, a unit at that extends loans secured against assets, to Wells Fargo, according to two people with knowledge of the matter.

The PMI Group Inc., Walnut Creek, Calif., has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

Dearborn Bancorp Inc. in Michigan said Wednesday that the Nasdaq stock market had rejected its plan to cure a reporting deficiency and that its stock would be delisted on Tuesday.

Park National in Ohio, is selling its most of its Florida operations for a fraction of what it paid for the bank in 2007. Analysts say this closes a bad chapter for the company, which could re-emerge as a buyer in the next few years.

The Fed's approval marks the first time a prepaid card company has been allowed to buy a bank. Fed Gov. Duke objected, warning that the deal was too risky.

Imposing fees risks further alienation of consumers, raising the stakes on the “dare” to consumers to find other ways to meet their financial needs. And there are new and better ways for banks to make money.