The banking associations in Virginia and West Virginia have, for now, called off discussion about creating a single trade group.

Regulators consider bankers' timing needs when reviewing deals, but it certainly isn't their top concern, advisers say. H&R Block and BofI are learning that the hard way after being told that their bank deal will not be approved this year.

Bank of New York Mellon has agreed to buy the fixed-income firm Cutwater Asset Management from MBIA.

Capital One has acquired Adaptive Path, a well-respected web design firm, underscoring the bank's tech ambitions and the increasing importance of digital user experience in financial services.

Madison Bank of Maryland in Forest Hill plans to convert from a mutual thrift to a stock-owned institution. The thrift plans to raise about $24 million as part of its conversion, using the proceeds to fund lending and increase capital levels, according to a regulatory filing.

H&R Block, for the second time in a year, is finding it challenging to get out of banking.

The $7.8 billion-asset company disclosed in a regulatory filing Friday that it had sold performing mortgages with outstanding balances of roughly $193 million to First BanCorp, also in San Juan.

Valley Community Bank's biggest shareholder has gone public with his objection to the Pleasanton, Calif., bank's sale to FNB Bancorp in San Francisco.

BEO Bancorp in Heppner, Ore., has agreed to buy Bank Reale, in Pasco, Wash. A purchase price for the cash-and-stock deal was not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter.

National Australia Bank is looking to sell more than a quarter of its holdings in Great Western Bancorp as part of the Sioux Fall, S.D., company's planned initial public offering.

The Louisiana company agreed to buy Florida Bank Group in a deal that will allow it to enter Jacksonville, Tallahassee and Tampa. It is the latest deal for a bank that has been an aggressive acquirer this year.

Southside Bancshares in Tyler, Texas, is getting out of subprime auto lending.

The agency has been hounding the "significantly undercapitalized" bank to provide written capital restoration and contingency plans that would include ways Doral could be sold or liquidated.

OceanFirst Financial in Toms River, N.J., has shed some nonperforming mortgages.

The $7.9 billion-asset company said in a press release Wednesday that Michael Blodnick plans to retire next year.

Community banks, by and large, appear well-prepared for capital standards that Basel II will phase in beginning in January. Still, concerns remain on how the requirements will shape cost structures and consolidation at smaller institutions.

First Farmers Financial in Converse, Ind., has agreed to buy three community banks in Illinois.

Xenith Bankshares in Richmond, Va., has brought in nearly $18 million in funding through a private placement and a new loan.

Doral Financial in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has sold more loans in a move that will deplete capital but bolster the company's liquidity.

A former employee wants the company to look at a merger of equals or selling its wealth management operations to increase shareholder value. Management, meanwhile, wants to grow in a way that diversifies income and reduces risk.