The OCC finds that Wells Fargo was not alone in its sales abuse practices (though it's not naming names); Fifth Third's Tim Spence is our Digital Banker of the Year; the CFPB acting director wipes out the agency's Consumer Advisory Board; and more from this week's most-read stories.

The firms were initially slated to be included in a newly merged trade association, but they were blocked after some executives objected to adding more Wall Street banks.

The Pittsburgh company said that the moves would improve both operating efficiency in its retail network and the credit profile of its consumer loan portfolio.

TSYS has purchased iMobile3, a maker of private-label payment solutions for small businesses, to beef up merchants' capabilities through the point of sale.

Ameris Bancorp said that Edwin Hortman will step down as president and CEO in July but will continue as chairman.

First Midwest Bancorp has agreed to buy Northern States Financial in Waukegan, Ill., for $91 million.

Brand Group in Georgia was mulling a public offering but it opted to test the waters as a seller first. That decision led to one of the biggest bank deals announced this year.

The OCC finds widespread problems in bank retail sales practices; Ripple and Swift competition for payments pits technology against convention.

The low-cost deposits that come with the deal for 52 Wells branches in four states should fund the Michigan company's effort to become a commercial lender.

The Michigan company will buy 52 branches and $2.3 billion in deposits from the San Francisco banking giant.

UniCredit and Société Générale are discussing a merger; Revolut also plans to launch its mobile service in the U.S. this summer.

Black Knight has acquired HeavyWater, a developer of artificial intelligence and machine learning technology for the mortgage industry, and plans to incorporate the startup's borrower data verification and other automation capabilities into its existing product suite.

The resulting institution has more than $190 million in assets and serves more than 24,000 members.

The company will gain $305 million in assets after completing the $51 million acquisition.

Here's a look at eight deals, why they were significant and why many more are expected.

Talking with Shari Van Cleave, head of Wells Fargo Digital Labs; Citizens Financial makes a big move in mortgages in purchasing Franklin American; a rewards blockchain could give Amex access to a wealth of customer data; and more from this week's most-read stories.

With a lighter compliance burden, small banks could shift tech spending to customer-facing innovation.

A lack of talent, capital and good business planning proved fatal for bank organizers in California and Georgia.

The subprime lender could lose a big partner now that Fiat Chrysler has officially announced it will form its own auto finance unit, and the two are negotiating an end to their 6-year-old relationship.

The company agreed to pay $32 million for Mercersburg Financial.