Premier Financial Bancorp Inc. in Huntington, W.Va., said Tuesday that its fourth-quarter earnings fell nearly 50% from a year earlier, to $2.5 million.

An estimated 444 collection agencies and creditors were sued between Feb. 1-15, a slight uptick from 440 in the second half of January, according to data from U.S. District Courts.

Republic Bancorp Inc. has accused the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. of multiple abuses of its authority, escalating an ongoing battle over refund-anticipation loans.

The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 1,455 refund checks to consumers defrauded by a mortgage loan modification and foreclosure rescue scam.

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International Bancshares Corp. in Laredo, Texas, said Monday that its net income fell 10% in 2010, to $116.9 million.

The National Credit Union Administration said credit unions that charge fees for automatic identity theft protection as part of free checking may be engaging in unfair and deceptive practices.

The Bancorp Inc. in Wilmington, Del., said Monday that it is trying to increase its equity by $50 million.

Regulators have ordered Sunwest Bank in Tustin, Calif., to improve its compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act.

Carver Bancorp Inc. in New York said Monday that one of its units has received $25 million in tax credits to spur investments in low-income communities.

Flagstar Bancorp Inc. in Troy, Mich., on Monday announced several additions to its executive team.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – VyStar CU said yesterday it has signed with Cardtronics to place its brand on Cardtronics-owned ATMs in 10 Walgreens stores located in Alachua County in northeastern Florida.

Some bankers might say credit quality is the biggest challenge when taking over a bank. But for many the biggest is dealing with the people they inherit.

A host of providers are offering small banks a way to share knowledge on a wide range of topics where information does not necessarily create a competitive advantage.

WASHINGTON — Regulators seized the $124 million-asset Valley Community Bank in St. Charles, Ill., late Friday in the 23rd bank failure of the year.

Michigan First Credit Union, the latest credit union to launch a Young & Free marketing campaign, is searching for a "spokester." The Young & Free campaign was designed by Currency Marketing of Chilliwack, British Columbia.

BankAtlantic Bancorp must raise more capital, limit the growth of its brokered deposits and make other improvements under an agreement with the Office of Thrift Supervision.

Heritage Financial Group Inc. of Albany, Ga., said Friday that it has shuffled its management and brought on a new executive to further its expansion strategy.

Though more information is a step in the right direction, analysts said, the discretion given banks in satisfying the rules may undermine attempts at transparency.

WASHINGTON — Regulators seized the $124 million-asset Valley Community Bank in St. Charles, Ill., late Friday in the 23rd bank failure of the year.