More banks are steadily raising and reinstating cash dividends. Bankers say the increases reflect improving confidence with the economy, though some investors contend that higher payouts signal challenges deploying capital.

Isabella Bank in Mt. Pleasant, Mich., has agreed to buy a branch from Independent Bank in Grand Rapids, Mich.

First Capital Holdings in New York has shed three businesses.

The fraud detection services provider Feedzai has raised $17.5 million in its Series B financing round.

A breakdown of M&A announcements in the financial services industry for the week ended May 16.

Dime Community and Flushing Financial are selling real estate in the borough, taking advantage of rising real estate prices. The banks are using process to reinvest in branches and technology.

Friendly Hills Bank in Whittier, Calif., has started offering payroll services to its clients.

First Foundation in Irvine, Calif., has launched a division to offer property and casualty insurance brokerage services.

Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida in Stuart has acquired First Growth Capital, a firm that handles receivables funding.

Hamilton State Bancshares in Hoschton, Ga., has agreed to acquire the $130 million-asset Highland Financial Services in Marietta, Ga.

Heartland Financial USA in Dubuque, Iowa, has agreed to buy First Scottsdale Bank in Arizona.

The Miami area's economy is on the rebound and expanding beyond sun and fun. A new influx of money, investors and customers with international ties could feed local banks' balance sheets and top-line growth.

JPMorgan Chase has purchased $45 billion in servicing rights from embattled mortgage firm Ocwen Financial.

Technology services firm Accenture has formed a partnership with "neobank" Moven to create digital banking offerings.

WashingtonFirst Bankshares in Reston, Va., has agreed to buy direct mortgage lender 1st Portfolio Holding Corp. in Fairfax, Va.

The financial-technology explosion, or bubble, depending on one's viewpoint, continues.

First Bank in Hamilton, N.J., has opened its first office in Pennsylvania.

Triumph Bancshares in Memphis says it has been mistakenly contacted by customers of Triumph Bancorp in Dallas, and has concluded that the Triumph moniker isn't big enough for both institutions. It's hoping a lawsuit will force the Texas bank to change its name.

Deutsche Bank has hired the former president of the Clearing House Association to take charge of its stress testing process.

The chief executive of CertusBank in Greenville, S.C., has officially stepped down after undergoing heart surgery.