United Bankshares is in talks to acquire rival Washington-area lender Cardinal Financial, according to people familiar with the matter, as regional banks seek to pair up to counter low interest rates and mounting regulatory costs.

Net interest margins have only gotten tighter this year. Here is a look at the reasons why, how much some banks are hurting and what certain institutions are doing to relieve the pressure.

Like its peers, the San Francisco-based marketplace lender is struggling to manage the fallout of a sharp reversal in the interest of investors.

Needham Bank in Massachusetts is searching for a new chief executive just 14 months after its current leader took over.

Arch U.S. MI's acquisition of United Guaranty Corp. will make one of the smallest private mortgage insurers the sector's new market leader. While the move is likely to ease pricing competition among the six remaining players, it's not expected to set off a wave of further consolidation.

Old Dominion National Bank in McLean, Va., has hired Stephanie Lykins-Harvey, formerly of Cardinal Bank in McLean, as director of retail banking.

The Ohio company is eager to rev up SBA lending in the Windy City now that it has closed on its purchase of FirstMerit. CEO Steve Steinour also credits his company's willingness to make big upfront community commitments for a seamless approval process.

Basel III could deal some serious blows to capital levels at First NBC Bank in New Orleans. The big question is how large will the issue become over the next two years.

Sterling Bancorp in Montebello, N.Y., has sold its mortgage business to Freedom Mortgage of Mount Laurel, N.J., for an undisclosed price.

The $58 million-asset company said in a press release Monday that Stephen Taylor, chairman and chief executive of Taylor Asset Management in Chicago, is leading a $6 million investment in its Neighborhood National Bank, effectively doubling its capital.

Alamogordo Financial in New Mexico has kicked into gear its plans to convert from a mutual to a fully shareholder-owned company.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has downgraded the Community Reinvestment Act rating for BancorpSouth in Tupelo, Miss.

Investors Bancorp in Short Hills, N.J., has joined the ranks of banks flagged by regulators for Bank Secrecy Act issues.

United Community and Wells Fargo are among the banks building platforms to lend to senior-care facilities. Demographics suggest the business should grow significantly in coming years.

Customers Bancorp in Wyomissing, Pa., plans to sell $50 million in common stock.

Farmers Capital Bank in Frankfort, Ky., will consolidate its four banks under a single charter.

CNB Financial in Clearfield, Pa., has picked a veteran director to be its next chairman, the sixth in the company's 32-year history.

Meta Financial Group in Sioux Falls, S.D., has expansion in mind, citing M&A and other growth-related pursuits as the reasons behind a $75 million debt issuance.

ICBA Bancard has bought an agent bank portfolio from Fifth Third Bancorp in Cincinnati that carries about $98 million in credit card receivables.

Old Line Bancshares in Bowie, Md., has issued $35 million in subordinated debt to help pay for an acquisition and for growth moves down the road.