Witnesses at a House Small Business Committee hearing Wednesday told lawmakers that a harsh regulatory environment continues to restrict access to credit for small businesses.

Home BancShares Inc. in Conway, Ark., said it recovered $4.4 million in chargeoffs booked in the fourth quarter.

There are plenty of reasons for dire predictions about the community banking sector, but one in particular is receiving less attention than it deserves: Bank operating revenue has been declining for more than a decade.

U.S. consumers filed an estimated 568 lawsuits against collection agencies and creditors between May 1-15, according to statistics from U.S. District Court branches.

Bridge Bancorp in Bridgehampton, N.Y., said late Friday that it had completed its $6.3 million acquisition of Hamptons State Bank of Southampton, N.Y.

Less than six months after completing its first bank acquisition, First General Bank in Rowland Heights, Calif., has struck another deal.

First BanCorp in San Juan, Puerto Rico, said Tuesday that it struck an agreement under which the private-equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners LP may buy $180 million of the company's common stock.

Webster Financial Corp. in Waterbury, Conn., has hired a former top executive at NewAlliance Bancshares as its chief financial officer.

Columbia Banking System wants to make acquisitions. But there are few opportunities in its market, relegating the Tacoma, Wash., company to taking small, deliberate steps.

Shares of Herald National Bank rose more than 25% Tuesday after Bloomberg reported that BankUnited in Miami Lakes, Fla., was in talks to acquire the small, New York-based commercial bank.

Boston Private Financial Holdings Inc. has combined its four banks in New England, California and the Pacific Northwest under a single charter.

Community bankers are backing a bill introduced in the House of Representatives last week that would exempt privately held banks with less 2,000 shareholders from filing quarterly reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

First Financial Holdings Inc. is selling its insurance agency subsidiary and its chief executive said that the Charleston, S.C., company intends to use the proceeds to shore up its capital base and invest in its core businesses of banking and wealth management.

Less than six months after closing its first-ever bank acquisition, First General Bank in Rowland Heights, Calif., has struck a deal to buy another small bank.

First BanCorp in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday said it struck an agreement under which the private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners LP may buy $180 million of its common stock as part of a capital improvement plan.

Webster Financial Corp. in Waterbury, Conn., has tapped a former top executive at NewAlliance Bancshares to fill its position of chief financial officer.

CHICOPEE, Mass. – Polish National CU said it plans to open a student-run branch inside Comprehensive High School here.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Navy FCU last week obtained a building permit to build a new branch and regional office here.

AVONDALE, Penn.-Sun East FCU and Keystone FCU have opened a freestanding, jointly owned branch here. While the two credit unions share the building and costs, they operate as completely separate entities.

The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions closed First Heritage Bank on Friday, and for a second straight week Columbia Banking System submitted a winning bid.