Western Alliance Bancorp. in Phoenix reported higher first-quarter profit as its remains a busy dealmaker.

Some are looking at buying banks or counting on recently announced acquisitions to diversify revenue streams. Others are investing in fee-based businesses and new technologies and all, of course, are trying to keep a lid on expenses.

People's United Financial in Bridgeport, Conn., reported higher first-quarter profits as it increased lending for both commercial and residential real estate.

High Point Bank considered bulking up to the size of other community banks in its market but quickly realized that the strategy would involve significant expense, risk and capital. So the company ended up selling to BNC Bancorp.

There are countless considerations banks face when joining another institution, but blending two distinct organizational philosophies into a healthy culture must be a top priority.

Wider margins and expense control boosted quarterly profits at BB&T in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Glacier Bancorp in Kalispell, Mont., has agreed to buy Treasure State Bank in Missoula, Mont., for $12.9 million in cash and stock

TCF Financial in Wayzata, Minn., reported sharply higher profits driven by gains on the sale of auto loans even as auto-related chargeoffs rose.

Competitive pricing and softening demand at the high end of the apartment- and condo-building market had executives at BankUnited, Signature and New York Community answering tough questions about their growth projections and diversification strategies.

Banc of California in Irvine is expanding its commercial bank by starting units specializing in health care, municipals and nonprofit banking.

University Bancorp in Michigan says the main goal of its recent debt offering was to raise capital, but it also was designed to comply with Sharia and other religious standards that guard against usury.

Strong investor demand for two recent securitizations by Navient, the largest servicer of federally guaranteed student loans, suggests that banks may soon have an opportunity to resume unloading such assets.

Emigrant Bank in New York has asked for regulatory approval to double its ownership stake in The Bancorp in Wilmington, Del.

Two St. Louis-area investors have been indicted on charges they defrauded the failed Excel Bank on real estate loans.

Recent steps by New York Community Bancorp to lower its borrowing costs paid off last quarter in higher net interest income and profits.

MB Financial in Chicago said its first-quarter profit rose 15.6% from a year earlier as fee income rose and expenses fell.

After another disappointing quarter, Comerica is promising big changes in its ongoing quest to improve returns to shareholders. It appears to be considering all options, including selling off business lines and perhaps even merging with another institution.

Sometimes boards have to police their own, as an insider-trading case involving a Pinnacle Financial director shows. The risks are especially high when banks enter confidential merger talks.

Middleburg Financial in Middleburg, Va., is facing pressure from its biggest shareholder to find a buyer.

Several small and midsize banks generated large year-over-year loan growth despite a belief by some outsiders that a slowdown was looming. Bankers may have to spend coming months assuring investors that they can keep booking loans while adequately managing risk.