At least three banking companies marked the end of the year by closing deals.

Centrue Financial Corp. is at risk of delisting on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Nasdaq notified the St. Louis company Dec. 28 that it was not in compliance with a rule requiring it to maintain a minimum market value of $5 million.

First California Financial Group Inc. in Westlake Village has agreed to buy an electronic banking solutions group from Palm Desert National Bank.

Rockville Financial Inc. in Connecticut said Monday that it has hired a former banker at Wells Fargo & Co. to be its next president and chief executive.

Integra Bank Corp. in Evansville, Ind., has started trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market because of its long-depressed share price.

Florida Shores Bank in Venice said Monday that it had raised $8 million of capital after spending six months courting investors.

United Community Banks Inc. in Blairsville, Ga., is deferring interest payments on its trust-preferred securities at the urging of the Federal Reserve.

The universe of hybrid mutuals — banks owned in part by shareholders but mostly by a mutual holding company — began shrinking last year as concerns grew over a new regulator and a prospective need for more capital.

Dave Colby, chief economist at CUNA Mutual Group, said the economy is teetering, as consumers continue to deleverage. He projected 2% to 3% credit union ...

If banks periodically follow these guidelines to revise their plans and adjust their cost structures, they will be ready to respond to almost all evolving market conditions.

Asset Acceptance Capital Corp., a buyer and collector of charged-off consumer debt, announced that it will close its Cleveland collections office. The closing is expected to reduce the company’s operating expenses by approximately $3 million per year, according to a company statement.

An estimated 510 different collection agencies and creditors were sued under consumer statutes between Dec. 1-15, a jump from 428 in the second half of November, according to data from U.S. District Courts.

To some, Elizabeth Warren's concept of a consumer protection regulator is an innovation. To others, it's an abomination. Either way, it's here to stay, and banking regulation will never be the same.

Several banks rushed to repay investments under the Troubled Asset Relief Program in December, but hundreds head into the new year desperate for an exit strategy, even if it means selling.

North Valley Bancorp in Redding, Calif., announced that it has completed a 1-for-5 reverse stock split.

Heartland Financial USA Inc. in Dubuque, Iowa, is combining the charters of two banks.

Santa Lucia Bancorp in Atascadero, Calif., which is operating under a written agreement with the Federal Reserve, has brought back a former president and chief executive to help it work through credit problems.

First Busey Corp. in Champaign, Ill., has announced plans to raise almost $86 million in capital by selling common stock and preferred shares.

Several banks rushed to repay investments under the Troubled Asset Relief Program in December, but hundreds head into the new year desperate for an exit strategy, even if it means selling.

Baylake Corp. in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., said Thursday that it had entered into a written agreement with the Federal Reserve requiring it to build capital, improve earnings and reduce nonperforming assets.