There is a widening gap between the premiums paid for bigger institutions and those of smaller community banks. Economies of scale, scarcity value and earnings potential are more important than ever, and a return of larger acquirers has increased demand for bigger sellers.

Citigroup plans to exit retail banking in Argentina and Brazil, where the company has maintained operations for more than 100 years.

Correcting misperceptions about banking, in addition to focusing on recruitment efforts, will help fix an apparent rupture in the talent pipeline.

Lakeland Bancorp in Oak Ridge, N.J., has agreed to buy Harmony Bank in Jackson, N.J.

About 10% of midsize businesses say they want to develop a relationship with nonbank providers, such as marketplace lenders or business development companies, and even more are said to be considering switching banks.

Pathfinder Bancorp in Oswego, N.Y., has exited the Small Business Lending Fund program.

Kelly King, BB&T's CEO, said his company is keen on eventually buying banks between Alabama and Texas, though his team would need to have frank discussions with any targets before pursuing a deal.

Regions Financial in Birmingham, Ala., has been restricted from acquiring other banks or opening new branches after it received a Community Reinvestment Act downgrade.

Banks are generally selling for less than they did before the financial crisis. Yet there have been select instances in which buyers have been willing to pay significant premiums to sellers' tangible book values. Here are the highest premiums since January 2015 for deals valued at $100 million or more.

The $325 million-asset State Bank said in a press release Tuesday that it will pay $29.6 million in cash and stock for the $206 million-asset Country Bank.

Citizens Community Bancorp in Eau Claire, Wis., has agreed to buy Old Murry Bancorp in Rice Lake, Wis.

Google's parent, Alphabet, should buy American International Group to expand into financial services, and turn the insurer into a laboratory for innovation, Citigroup's analysts said in a note Monday.

American International Group is expanding bets on property lending and safe fixed-income securities after hedge-fund investments soured.