In taking a piecemeal approach to selling problem assets, First Midwest Bancorp Inc. seems to be pleasing only itself.

First Illinois Corp. said Wednesday that it would buy a majority stake in Hickory Point Bank & Trust from an agriculture processor.

NewAlliance Bancshares Inc. in New Haven, Conn., reported a 25% increase in annual net income Tuesday. The $9 billion-asset company, which is set to be acquired by First Niagara Financial Group, earned $58 million in 2010, or 59 cents a share, compared with $46.4 million, or 47 cents a share, in 2009.

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Bank of the Ozarks Inc. in Little Rock, Ark., reported a 75.5% jump in fourth-quarter earnings from a year earlier, to $16.9 million, including $4.6 million from its fourth failed-bank purchase.

First California Financial Group Inc. in Westlake Village has reported that its regulator lifted an informal agreement, clearing the way for it to pay dividends.

PrivateBancorp Inc. in Chicago reported its second straight profitable quarter as credit quality continued to show signs of stabilizing and it added commercial and industrial loans.

SUITLAND, Md. – Andrews FCU said yesterday it opened its 12th branch and sixth overseas at the U.S. Army base in Schweinfurt, Germany.

Northwest Bancshares Inc. in Warren, Pa., said Tuesday that it is closing its Florida operation. The $8.1 billion-asset company said its board had authorized the closing of its three Florida branches.

Signature Bank in New York said Tuesday that it had earned $30.3 million in the fourth quarter, up 44% from a year earlier.

Nara Bancorp Inc. in Los Angeles has reported earning $5 million in the fourth quarter, compared with a loss a year earlier.

Community banks are still regaining their footing, but a little-known provision in the Dodd-Frank Act could help them find opportunities once they are ready to grow again.

The number of community banks has already been cut in half and it's no stretch to imagine that total being halved again in coming years. The question for policymakers is does this matter?

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco FCU has installed a new ATM at San Francisco International Airport for the convenience of airport employees.

Britton & Koontz Capital Corp. in Natchez, Miss., reported a fourth-quarter profit despite a rise in nonperforming assets.

Sierra Bancorp in Porterville, Calif., reported a dip in fourth-quarter earnings that it attributed Monday to bigger losses associated with foreclosed properties.

The State Employees' Credit Union in Raleigh, N.C., started an estate planning and will preparation pilot program last week.

Fidelity Southern Corp. in Atlanta returned to full-year profitability after earning $3 million in the fourth quarter. The $1.91 billion-asset company lost $3.9 million in 2009 but earned $10.1 million last year.

Virginia Heritage Bank in Fairfax reported $1.3 million of fourth-quarter net income, an 86.5% increase from a year earlier.

Wintrust Financial Corp. in Lake Forest, Ill., said Monday that its fourth-quarter earnings fell 50% from a year earlier, to $14.2 million.