Rarely is bankruptcy court a welcome detour, but more struggling banks may take it to overcome debtholders blocking their recapitalization efforts.

Today most of the people working in financial services are "good bankers." But public opinion and media coverage of the worst of our industry has reflected on everyone.

Technology doesn't slant the playing field. It levels it. In our industry, technology and pricing are actually the simplest things to copy. Over time, they do not differentiate.

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Several companies kicked off 2011 by completing acquisitions.

Independent Bank of Austin said Tuesday that it has changed its legal name to I Bank Texas. The $156.8 million-asset company, which is based in Lakeway, was created in 2005. A website was also developed to reflect the new name.

A group of banks and credit unions are leveraging federal stimulus money to create a nearly $8 million fund to provide energy-efficient retrofitting to historic buildings in Lowell, Mass.

Hanmi Financial Corp.'s recapitalization agreement with Woori Finance Holdings Co. Ltd. remains in place despite passing a Dec. 31 deadline.

Home BancShares Inc. in Conway, Ark., expects a spike in its loan-loss provision when it reports fourth-quarter results.

Maryland is trying to make a bigger name for itself with lenders pinching every penny they can, by promoting its lower taxes and better protection for directors.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau struck a deal Tuesday with state bank supervisors to coordinate supervision and implementation of consumer protection rules.

The number of U.S. consumers who filed for bankruptcy in 2010 topped 1.5 million last year, up 9% compared with 2009 as high long-term jobless rates and depressed home prices drove more households to seek court protection, according to both the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) and the National Bankruptcy Research Center.

Susquehanna Bancshares Inc. in Lititz, Pa., has brought in a new chief operating officer. The $14 billion-asset company said in a Dec. 30 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it had hired Gregory Duncan to succeed Eddie L. Dunklebarger on Jan. 28.

Central Virginia Bankshares Inc. in Powhatan said Monday that it promoted Herbert Marth Jr. to president and chief executive.

Tower Bancorp Inc. of Harrisburg, Pa., is discontinuing the operations of a mortgage division that belonged to First Chester County Corp., a bank it bought last month.

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.