The number of banks and thrifts deferring dividends on preferred stock from the Troubled Asset Relief Program rose last month, according to a report.

Sun Bancorp Inc. in Vineland, N.J., said Wednesday that it expects to report a $25 million loss from the sale of commercial real estate loans.

Norwood Financial Corp. in Honesdale, Pa., has agreed to buy rival North Penn Bancorp Inc. of Scranton for $27.1 million.

At a time when banks need to distinguish themselves and boost revenue, Investors Bancorp Inc. is embracing a service that many banks are wary of: remittances.

Washington Trust Bank in Spokane is offering mobile banking services to its customers through text, mobile Web and dedicated applications using mFoundry Inc.'s software.

Right or wrong, rumors of a Florida expansion by PNC touched a nerve with investors who are eager for straggling banks like Regions and BankAtlantic to get back on course.

A consortium of non-profit consumer credit counseling agencies filed a joint complaint letter with the Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday, calling for the agency to take "immediate investigative and enforcement action against debt settlement companies that have brazenly evaded" the FTC's recently amended Telemarketing Sales Rules.

Regulators have prohibited Weststar Financial Services Corp. in Asheville, N.C., from paying dividends or reducing the capital at its bank unit without permission.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has thrown its support behind legislation that would allow longtime borrowers to continue to have their loans guaranteed.

WASHINGTON — Amid asset-bubble concerns in the agricultural industry, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. urged institutions Tuesday to establish prudent risk management when it comes to farm lending.

An estimated 428 different collection agencies and creditors were sued under consumer statutes between Nov. 16-30, a drop from 497 in the first half of the month, according to data from U.S. District Courts. The tally likely dropped in part because of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Most billion-dollar community banks have skirted the surge of traditional mergers and acquisitions that has engulfed their smaller peers — until now.

California United Bank in Encino and California Oaks State Bank said their shareholders have approved the agreement in which California United would buy the Thousand Oaks bank.

Three community banks completed acquisitions Friday.

First Bank of the Palm Beaches has managed to maintain a middle-of-the-road status in the treacherous world of Florida banking.

LAFAYETTE, La. – Industrial FCU opened its newest Lafayette branch here Friday, inside the member center on the St. Elizabeth East Hospital campus.

KINGSTON, N.Y. – The Ulster County Industrial Development Agency approved a package of financial incentives last week for a new Mid-Hudson Valley FCU branch in nearby Port Ewen.

VIENNA, Va. – Fast-growing Navy FCU will continue its marketing assault on new fronts this morning with the opening of four new branches, making 27 branches added so far this year by the $45 billion credit union.

ST Financial Group in College Station, Texas, has raised $15.1 million in capital through a private offering.

The National Credit Union Administration has asked Congress for extraordinary new powers that would extend the statute of limitations on charging officers and directors of failed credit unions to as long as 10 years.