Deutsche Bank plans to buy back about $5.4 billion of bonds, including some it issued barely a month ago, to reverse an investor stampede away from its stock and debt.

A rough economy, regulation and evolving technology will keep forcing small banks to merge, said Richard Hunt, head of the Consumer Bankers Association. Hunt's position puts him at odds with bank advocates, including Camden Fine at the Independent Community Bankers of America, who believe small banks should ignore the drumbeat calling for more consolidation.

Flagstar Bancorp in Troy, Mich., has launched a national homebuilder lending platform.

Sterling Bancshares in Poplar Bluff, Mo., has completed its purchase of Bootheel Bancorp in Poplar Bluff.

Banks' in-house venture funds tend to favor mature fintech companies, but BBVA's establishment of an outside fund should help the bank get in on the ground floor with early-stage companies.

Inspired by marketplace lenders, Live Oak Bancshares created a largely digital product that can make a credit decision on a small-business loan within 48 hours. The product, which combines human decision-making and automated credit scoring, could go national as early as next year.

Other countries have already lowered interest rates below zero, and the financial stability concerns of such a policy taking shape in the U.S. should not be dismissed.

The $2 billion-asset Hampton Roads said in a press release Wednesday that it will pay $107.2 million in stock for the $1 billion-asset Xenith.

KeyCorp hit fresh political resistance in New York to its $4.1 billion acquisition of First Niagara Financial Group Inc., with Governor Andrew Cuomo pushing federal regulators on Wednesday to block the deal. Shares of both companies fell.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services is warning banks with high levels of exposure to the energy industry to think twice before ramping up their lending in other sectors.

Kelly King, the North Carolina company's chief executive, also noted that BB&T is busy integrating a number of recent acquisitions. It is leaning toward buying back stock, though management could be coaxed into making a deal if the right bank became available.

Should companies that manage collateralized loan obligations but don't originate the loans be subject to Dodd-Frank's risk-retention rules for securitizations?

Evans, soon to retire as CEO of Cullen/Frost Bankers, believes his company is well positioned to withstand the fallout from low oil prices. He is advising his successor to avoid the temptation to panic and focus on the long view.

HSBC Holdings' board will meet on Sunday to decide whether to shift its headquarters from London, according to two people with knowledge of the decision.

After an active 2015, with nearly 290 deals announced, don't think for a second that bankers are taking a breather. Executives are looking at ways to build scale, improve their fintech offerings and ensure smooth transitions following acquisitions. Here is a sampling of recent comments about bank consolidation.

Stephen Steinour, chief executive of Huntington Bancshares in Columbus, Ohio, has pursued a risky strategy of taking losses in exchange for adding new customers, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.

Heartland Financial USA in Dubuque, Iowa, has completed its acquisition of CIC Bancshares in Denver and made related executive moves.

Sunshine Financial in Tallahassee, Fla., has agreed to name a new board member in exchange for a truce with an activist investor.

Pioneer Bank in Dripping Springs, Texas, has promoted Elizabeth Blose to chief financial officer as it works to finalize a merger deal and relocate its headquarters.

Bankers need to let investors know in advance what types of deals they are willing to pursue, along with the financial parameters. Doing so is a critical step in managing shareholder expectations at a time when consolidation is heating up.