United Financial of Massachusetts is buying Connecticut's New England Banchares in a deal that makes a lot of strategic sense. Yet investors have given the buyer a rousing thumbs-down.

Banking, trading and risk management software all under one roof.

Incensed shareholders and lawsuits triggered by failed say on pay votes aren't the half of it. Just wait until the expected M&A wave unleashes 'say on golden parachute' litigation.

The Massachusetts company has grown in upstate New York by buying Rome Bancorp and opening about a dozen branches in recent years.

A clause in a merger deal between two small banks promises more cash for the seller if loans stay on track.

Shareholders frown on United Financial's all-stock deal for healthy bank in good market.

Chief Executive John Stumpf said during an investor conference in New York Thursday that the bank is in the market to buy insurance companies.

The investment bank FBR (FBRC) may put its asset-management business up for sale and, if it does, it is likely to draw significant interest from commercial banks.

The Federal Reserve Board's landmark decision to allow China's largest bank to acquire branches in New York and California is likely to trigger further expansion by Chinese banks into the U.S. market, according to Fitch Ratings.

Kip Weissman, partner with law firm Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick in Washington, says lack of options for small banks has more of them weighing whether to partner with similarly sized rivals.

Fitch Ratings has lowered its outlook on Trustmark Corporation (TRMK) from "stable" to "negative" following Jackson, Miss., company's announcement Tuesday that it is acquiring BancTrust Financial (BTFG) of Mobile, Ala.

More than a quarter of all national residential sales in the first quarter were either a short sale or bank-owned property, according to RealtyTrac.

After operating exclusively in Massachusetts for more than a century, United Financial Bancorp (UBNK) in West Springfield is making the leap across the state line.

Morgan Stanley (MS) informed Citigroup Inc. (C) that it plans to give notice on Friday that it will exercise its right to purchase an additional 14% stake in their Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Holdings LLC joint venture.

The election inspector determined that the nominee for Stilwell Group was delinquent in turning in a signed master ballot, invalidating most of the firm's votes as it challenged the Renton, Wash., company.

Three years after a group of private equity firms bought BankUnited out of receivership, industry observers wonder if the deal really paved the way for other firms interested in consolidating banks.

A breakdown of M&A announcements for the week ended May 28.

Kip Weissman, partner with law firm Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick in Washington, says handful of shareholder spats around the country shows how more insurgent investors in small banks are "looking for a sale" to "make a nice return."

Gerald Host, Trustmark's CEO, expressed confidence in his company's purchase of BancTrust despite some analysts' concerns about the seller's weak deposit positions in key Alabama markets.

First Financial Northwest in Renton, Wash., and Stilwell Partners are both claiming victory following last week's annual meeting. A representative for the activist shareholder has threatened a legal challenge if its nominee isn't added to the board.