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.

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.