The phrase “it is what it is” came up several times as CEO Joseph Ficalora addressed analysts’ questions about nixing plans to buy Astoria and the challenges of getting another deal done.

Many banks are weighed down with orders tied to the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money-laundering laws. Others are dealing with low Community Reinvestment Act ratings. Bank M&A and branching are typically off the table until such issues are addressed, but that doesn't mean all growth opportunities are gone. Here are some ways constrained banks might be able to add revenue while working through their regulatory challenges.

Acquisition pushes quarterly revenues past $1 billion for first time ever.

The company wants a big deal to help push it over $50 billion of assets, at which point it will be considered systematically important.

First Merchants in Muncie, Ind., has agreed to buy Arlington Bank in Upper Arlington, Ohio.

The deal had been delayed since Investors had been hit with a BSA-related regulatory order.

Legion Partners said it has “serious concerns” about the company’s disclosure of inaccurate information.

Heritage Oaks in California ended talks with an unnamed institution when it couldn't get a response on a regulatory concern.

The deal comes on the heels of Simmons’ agreement to buy Southwest Bancorp in Oklahoma.

The acquisition is the first for Hope since a transformative merger last year.

Why one small credit union in Wisconsin thought its best option was to seek out a much larger credit union to with which to merge.

To succeed, the Tennessee company must build on momentum created by BNC, the bank it just agreed to buy.

CEOs at several regionals have decided to sit on the sidelines so they can digest recent big acquisitions, while others are contemplating going for more deals provided they find lower-risk opportunities.

Fourth-quarter profits at Wintrust Financial in Rosemont, Ill., climbed 54% to $54.6 million from a year earlier, helped largely by acquisitions and increases in mortgage banking and other fee income.

Commercial real estate loan growth and the Hudson City acquisition fueled fourth-quarter profit growth at M&T Bank in Buffalo, N.Y.

The Cleveland company also had a record quarter for its investment banking business.

Profit surged at BB&T in Winston-Salem, N.C., during the fourth quarter, driven by various acquisitions and growth in business lending.

The Pittsburgh company was aided by high-single-digit organic loan growth in addition to an acquisition that was completed in February.

The $9.9 million CU will retain its identity even as it becomes part of much larger organization.

The $190 million deal would push Renasant above the $10 billion-asset regulatory threshold.