Bank of America's biggest conundrum is what to do about the Countrywide Financial situation. This 2008 acquisition called by some the worst corporate acquisition ever, has become the primary albatross hanging around B of A's neck — one that CEO Moynihan confesses is on his mind nearly every day.

It would seem like a no-brainer for troubled European banks: sell their prized U.S. units to stateside rivals that are eager to grow. But conditions just aren't right.

Happy Bancshares Inc. in Canyon, Texas, has agreed to acquire Signature Bancshares Inc. in Dallas.

S1 confirmed Friday that its planned merger with Fundtech has been terminated. But S1's board still does not want the company to be bought by ACI Worldwide, which has made repeated hostile bids for S1 in recent weeks.

A pair of banks formed just before the 2008 financial crisis are the latest to merge as other opportunities to deploy capital remain elusive.

First M&F Corp. in Kosciusko, Miss., is looking to shed six branches, or roughly 14% of its offices.

Wells Fargo Insurance Services said Friday that it had acquired an employee benefits brokerage and consulting firm in Hazlet, N.J., Procomp Benefit Resources.

Worldwide mergers and acquisitions activity has been solid so far this year, but new data indicates that worries over economic growth, Europe's sovereign debt problems and volatile markets will keep a lid on M&A for at least the rest of this year.

PNC Financial Services Group Inc., U.S. Bancorp and Toronto-Dominion Bank are among companies that may benefit as Bank of America Corp. sells assets to raise capital.

The Fed governor said systemic risk could be a factor, but not the entire reason an acquisition is rejected. His comments come as the central bank weighs whether to block the merger of Capital One and ING.

Wintrust Financial Corp. won the bidding for the failed First Chicago Bank & Trust but it is still fighting for the right to use the First Chicago name.

The same uncertainties about the economy, capital rules and other matters that are slowing deal activity could ultimately prod sellers to give in. The question is when.

Continuing a wave of consolidation among California community banks, AltaPacific Bancorp in Santa Rosa said late Wednesday that it is buying Stellar Business Bank in Covina for $17.4 million in stock.

A class action lawsuit filed by Weisberg & Meyers LLC in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York will move forward after a joint motion to dismiss filed by defendants Cohen & Slamowitz LLP, Encore Capital Group, MRC Receivables Corp. and Midland Credit Management Inc. was denied by Judge P. Kevin Castel for three out of four alleged violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

S&T Bancorp in Indiana, Pa., announced late Wednesday that it is buying Mainline Bancorp Inc. in Ebensburg, Pa., for roughly $21.5 million in cash and stock.

The board of the payments technology vendor Fundtech plans to halt its intended merger with S1 after receiving a separate offer from the private equity firm GTCR.

Led by energy, and bolstered by a diversifying economy, the Texas metropolis is drawing a wave of new banks to vie with the city's incumbents.

Capital One Financial Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Richard Fairbank says he believes the credit card business is headed for significant consolidation and that his company intends to be one of the industry's "endgame players."

Massive consolidation is inevitable, say the pundits, but the heads of prospective buyers say they can wait out reluctant sellers and the uncertain economy.

John Koelmel, head of fast-growing First Niagara, found himself literally and figuratively in the middle of the jobs debate.