TD Ameritrade and its largest stakeholder, Toronto-Dominion Bank, agreed to buy Scottrade Financial for $4 billion, combining two of the largest online brokerages while expanding the U.S. operations of Canada's second-largest lender.

WestStar Bank in El Paso, Texas, said it has acquired assets from Cimarron Mortgage Capital that are to Cimarron's construction lending and residential mortgage divisions.

James Cope entered into an agreement with the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee to plead guilty to one count of insider trading; he will serve a two-year probationary sentence.

Home BancShares in Arkansas would rather buy banks that meet its financial parameters than do one large deal to catapult over $10 billion in assets. The bank also spent most of this year idling with M&A so it could prepare for stress testing.

Greg Carmichael, who has been on the job nearly a year as Fifth Third's CEO, has started putting his stamp on the company by aggressively trimming branches in favor of mobile, seeking to build up its consumer credit business and retooling the balance sheet.

Independent Bank in Rockland, Mass., has agreed to buy Island Bancorp in Edgartown, Mass.

Equity Bancshares in Wichita, Kan., has agreed to buy Prairie State Bancshares in Hoxie, Kan.

Combining biometrics with device ID, social data, behavior patterns and other factors builds a strong foundation for artificial intelligence to conduct identity proofing and transaction authorization.

The California company plans to hire a second chief credit officer to specify monitor commercial lending and specialty lines. At least one analyst said the changes, which also include adjustments to credit policies, calls into question the company's strategic director and growth trajectory.

The company believes it is done making acquisitions in its home state. The next phase of growth will likely involve deals and strategic hiring in large urban markets across the Southeast.

SunTrust Banks in Atlanta has agreed to buy the multifamily lending business of Pillar Financial in New York.

BancorpSouth in Tupelo, Miss., reported higher third-quarter earnings after net interest and fee revenue improved from a year earlier.

Profit improved at M&T Bank in the third quarter as the Buffalo, N.Y., company expanded commercial and mortgage lending and completed the sale of a large investment-securities portfolio.

Mastercard's $924 million buy of VocaLink was the highest value acquisition in the payments industry during the third quarter.

CenterState Banks in Davenport, Fla., has agreed to buy Platinum Bank Holding Company in Brandon, Fla., in a $83.9 million cash-and-stock deal.

Many have linked the gender gap in financial services to the difficulties in balancing work pressures with family demands. To help address this, paid family leave should be compulsory in the industry.

Synovus Financial in Columbus, Ga., posted higher third-quarter earnings after booking more loans across several lending categories.

Attendees at this year's American Bankers Association conference are fixated on the election, fintech competition and banking's changing landscape. While optimistic, many are still wondering where their industry is headed.

Ameris Bancorp in Moultrie, Ga., reported a double-digit increase in profits thanks to an acquisition, organic loan growth and other factors.

The California company will report a quarterly loss after credit issues surfaced in its technology lending division. Opus had expressed an interest earlier this year to expand the business after making a key hire.