First State Bancorp. in Albuquerque confirmed that its banking subsidiary was in discussions with potential investors about a recapitalization.

Premier Financial Bancorp Inc. has decided that even for community banks that value local identity, bigger might just be better.

The State Foreclosure Prevention Working Group (SFPWG) recently released a study showing that as many as 60% of mortgage borrowers did not have their accounts forwarded to the mortgage lender’s loss mitigation department after becoming 60 days or more late on their payments.

New York regulators are conducting an investigation into deceptive credit card marketing practices that target students at their colleges.

Donegal Financial Services Corp. and Union National Financial Corp. said they have amended their acquisition agreement after Donegal Financial's stock price fell $3.86 a share since the deal was announced in April.

Atlantic Coast Federal Corp. in Waycross, Ga., has appointed veteran banker Jay S. Sidhu as executive chairman of its Atlantic Coast Bank unit, a move that could help the company complete its second-step conversion.

SALT LAKE CITY – University Federal Credit Union has opened a new branch downtown in a building formerly occupied by Barnes Bank.

Operating a community bank in foreclosure-ravaged South Florida is challenging. Starting one just before the financial crisis hit is even more so.

Old Line Bancshares Inc. in Bowie, Md., plans to acquire Maryland Bankcorp Inc. in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $20 million.

Atlantic Coast Federal Corp. in Waycross, Ga., has appointed veteran banker Jay S. Sidhu as executive chairman of its thrift, mirroring a position he has held at the company since May.

One of the owners of a payday loan and collection operation agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges for his role in a scheme that illegally tried to garnish borrowers’ wages and used other illegal collection practices.

Patriot National Bancorp Inc. in Stamford, Conn., has extended the deadline for its recapitalization deal for a second time.

The Office of Thrift Supervision has denied United Western Bancorp Inc.'s request to make payments on its line of credit with JPMorgan Chase & Co.

WARREN, Mich. – Christian Financial CU is launching its first student-run branch inside De La Salle Collegiate High School.

LAS VEGAS – Aloha Pacific FCU said yesterday it is expanding into Las Vegas with a deal for a branch operated by troubled Silver State Schools CU.

MIDWEST

Premier Financial Bancorp Inc. in Huntington, W.Va., plans to roll up five of its unit banks into one. The $1.1 billion-asset multibank holding company said Tuesday it would merge these units: Boone County Bank in Madison, W.Va.; First Central Bank in Philippi, W.Va.; Traders Bank in Ravenswood, W.Va.; Adams National Bank in Washington; and Consolidated Bank and Trust in Richmond, Va. The combined entity would have $800 million of assets.

The banker-examiner relationship has not been this strained for 20 years, but a provision in the Dodd-Frank Act will alleviate some pressure on the examiners.

The bottom line: If bankers want to change their exams they will have to go toe to toe with their examiners, pointing out specifically what they deem unreasonable. Bankers will have to take their complaints up the chain of command.

The Connecticut attorney general said Wednesday he is investigating First Niagara Financial Group's proposed acquisition of NewAlliance Bancshares Inc.