Regulators closed institutions in five states late Friday, bringing the year's toll to 69 and leaving the FDIC with almost $1 billion more in losses.

SP Acquisition Holdings Inc., a blank check company with $429 million to spend, has agreed to buy the $4 billion-asset Frontier through a share exchange and then recapitalize its bank.

As FSI Group LLC prepared to pour $40 million into Security Bank Corp. last year, it considered what it thought would be the worst-case scenario.

Though the seizure of Security Bank Corp.'s six banks did nothing to change Georgia's reputation as a failure hub, many are calling the resolution the best thing to happen to the state's banking market in years.

A year after posting its first loss, Corus Bankshares is out of capital and out of options. The $7 billion-asset Chicago company reported Friday that it lost $487.3 million in the second quarter, leaving its bank unit with a capital deficit of $157 million.

Despite a second-quarter loss of $43.9 million that left it with a capital shortfall, Integra Bank Corp. in Evansville, Ind., said Friday that it has made progress in dealing with its souring credit quality.

Once out of CUs' price range, former buildings that already have drive-up windows are becoming more affordable, but is it a good move to take one of these on? Find out in the stories below.

MADISON, Wis. — Though fast-food restaurants and gas stations are usually located on prime pieces of real estate and the site plan sets up nicely for a financial branch, the buildings themselves can pose major problems for CUs that are planning to remodel the structure rather than level it.

JANESVILLE, Wis. — As fast-food restaurants, with their choice corner locations and drive-up windows, close due to the economy, they seem a perfect fit for a CU looking to expand its branch network, but there are other factors to consider.

TALLAHASSE, Fla. — Credit unions that have gone through the process of converting a non-financial building to a new branch seem to agree on why they chose that route: location and timeline. While commercial real estate values have declined significantly, prime spots along major thoroughfares that can accommodate a drive-thru easily are still hard to come by, even in shell-shocked real estate markets like Florida.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Credit unions could have the opportunity to snatch up Bank of America branches, now that the banking giant could be cutting up to 10% of its branching network over the next few years.

NORCROSS, Ga. — Credit unions looking to in-store branching to expand their physical footprints need to be aware of the unique nature of such branches.

A bill introduced in Congress this week would expand the powers of credit unions to make business loans.

Though its nonperforming loans grew dramatically in the second quarter, Appalachian Bancshares Inc. in Ellijay, Ga., said Thursday that it expects to bring in enough capital to satisfy a regulatory order.

For a year and a half, Taylor Capital Group in Rosemont, Ill., has tried to distinguish the growth of its commercial and industrial lending from the credit problems in its residential real estate portfolio.

After posting its fifth consecutive quarterly loss and falling out of compliance with a regulatory order, Pacific Capital Bancorp said it is weighing "strategic alternatives" — which usually means a company is on the sales block.

The moment a bank anticipates, or sees, signs of nonperformance, it is absolutely essential to meet with the borrower in person and ask the tough questions.

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NEW ENGLAND

VIENNA, Va. – Navy FCU, which has embarked on the most ambitious expansion plan in credit union history, has trimmed plans for new branches, in light of the economic slowdown.