Camden Fine at the Independent Community Bankers of America believes entrepreneurial bankers will return to starting new banks in the latter half of this decade as the industry adjusts to the new business conditions and as consolidation creates voids.

BancorpSouth in Tupelo, Miss., has been hit with a consent order tied to compliance weaknesses tied to the Bank Secrecy Act and the Patriot Act.

A large shareholder at Valley Community Bank is objecting to the Pleasanton, Calif., company's sale to FNB Bancorp in South San Francisco.

A judge has ruled that the involuntary bankruptcy of FMB Bancshares in Lakeland, Ga., may proceed, a decision that could embolden more trust-preferred creditors to pursue a similar strategy.

Congressional Bancshares in Bethesda, Md., has agreed to buy American Bank Holdings in Bethesda.

JPMorgan Chase has sold a retirement plan services business unit in Overland Park, Kan., to Great-West Financial in Greenwood Village, Colo.

Intervest Bancshares in New York has officially exited the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Leaders of large community banks in the Southeast are keen on acquisitions, though their level of interest varies widely. Some, like Home BancShares in Arkansas, are eager to line up the next big deal. Others, including Bank of the Ozarks, seem content to steal lenders and open offices after several years of acquisitions.

Citigroup has agreed to sell its remaining 41 branches in Texas to BB&T, in an ongoing effort to trim its branch network.

First South Bancorp in Washington, N.C., has become the latest community bank to buy branches from Bank of America.

Mt. Washington Savings Bank in Cincinnati is planning to convert from a mutual savings and loan association to a company partly owned by public shareholders.

Cardinal Financial in Tysons Corner, Va., has agreed to buy a Virginia branch from Virginia Heritage Bank.

Pacific Premier in Irvine, Calif., has raised approximately $59 million through a private placement.

Prudential Bancorp in Philadelphia has agreed to add a director recommended by activist investor Seidman Group.

As consolidation heats up, bankers are pushing back against lawsuits challenging a deal's merits. Experts say the law firms pursuing litigation are motivated by fees and often withdraw when bank lawyers use legal maneuvers to lengthen the process.

Bank of America has taken a significant reputational hit as a result of its 2008 acquisition of Countrywide Financial. Could it have mitigated some of the damage with a different branding strategy?

A Massachusetts mutual's failure to gain depositor approval for a conversion suggests a way for small towns to push back against the loss of their local banks, according to lawyer Kevin Handly.

Regulatory delays have forced ViewPoint Financial in Plano, Texas, and LegacyTexas Group in Plano to push back the closing date for their planned merger a second time.

Great Western Bancorp in Sioux Falls, S.D., has filed documents for an initial public offering.

A judge had ordered Joseph Stilwell to appear in court and respond to a subpoena from the Securities and Exchange Commission tied to a securities fraud investigation.