The U.S. economy grew at the fastest pace in more than six years during the fourth quarter as businesses made less-aggressive cuts to inventories and stepped up spending, according to a report today by the Commerce Department.

Details for a planned $30 billion program to help community banks lend to small businesses are still being worked on, but the Obama administration is leaning toward removing the strings that have scared institutions away from other capital programs.

The $14.8 billion-asset thrift company announced late Wednesday that MatlinPatterson Global Advisors LLC, a New York private-equity firm, injected $300 million into Flagstar as part of a rights offering announced late last year.

Even as many other community banks have recoiled, Iberiabank Corp. lately has been on a growth tear — raising capital, buying four failed banks and picking up lending teams from competitors.

As economists and government officials declare the recession over because of an artificially funded rise in GDP, the orphaned byproduct of the downturn - high unemployment - remains alive and well and will extend its tentacle of impact on consumer collections for many months.

HOUSTON – ATM company Cardtronics, which announced a deal with Carnival Cruise Lines Tuesday, said yesterday it has signed to provide ATM transaction processing and operational support services for the six ATMs installed at American Airlines Center, the home of the Dallas Mavericks NBA basketball team and the Dallas Stars NHL hockey team.

CHICAGO – Polish & Slavic FCU is expanding its footprint this week with the opening of two branches here, the $1.2 billion credit union’s first offices outside its core New York and New Jersey market.

BURBANK, Calif. – The Walt Disney Co.'s Partners FCU announced it is closing its Anaheim operations center and consolidating the work in Burbank and Orlando over the next six months.

MIDWEST

With nonperforming assets declining and two consecutive profitable quarters under its belt, the Atlanta company is planning for a year of black ink.

Despite three big boosts to capital in 2009, First Financial Bancorp in Cincinnati is looking to amass an even bigger treasure chest of capital this year.

The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index, which increased in November and December, improved again in January. The index stands at 55.9, up from 53.6 last month. The baseline for the index, set in 1985, is 100.

A panel formed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to explore community banking issues is to hold its second meeting Thursday.

Heartland Financial USA Inc. of Dubuque, Iowa, reported a net 2009 loss of $9.2 million for common shareholders, 200% larger than the 2008 loss.

HOUSTON – Cardtronics, the biggest provider of ATMs for credit unions, has signed with Carnival Cruise Lines to install and manage cash machines on the cruise line.

The Commercial Collection Agency Association (CCAA) reports that its members received a record volume of business-to-business accounts for collection in 2009.

Signature Bank reported Tuesday that fourth-quarter earnings rose more than 60%, capping what the New York company said was its best year since its inception in 2001.

After three consecutive quarterly losses, Virginia Commerce Bancorp Inc. announced Tuesday that it returned to profitability in the fourth quarter.

Shares of Nara Bancorp Inc. fell 5.5% early Tuesday, but rebounded to close down 1.24% to $8.73 after the Los Angeles company announced a fourth-quarter loss. It was, however, an 85% narrower loss than posted a year earlier.

With dwindling capital and mounting losses, ShoreBank Corp. in Chicago is seeking a bailout from the state of Illinois.