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.

BNC Bancorp in High Point, N.C., has filed to sell up to $150 million in securities. The $3.7 billion-asset company said in a filing Tuesday that it could issue common and preferred stock, debt securities and other securities from time to time.

Mid Penn Bancorp in Millersburg, Pa., has agreed to buy Phoenix Bancorp in Minersville, Pa.

First Business Financial Services in Madison, Wis., is relying on a subordinated debt sale to foot the cash portion of its pending acquisition.

Sound Community Bank in Seattle has acquired three branches on the Olympic Peninsula from Columbia Bank in Tacoma, Wash.

Capital Bancorp in Rockville, Md., has raised $5 million in senior debt financing. The $547 million-asset company obtained the financing only through local investors and without institutional investors, it said in a Tuesday press release.

Federal regulators have delayed or derailed several bank mergers and acquisitions in recent months. Here are some notable examples.

Many banks are aggressively closing branches to cut costs. Those banks must be mindful about branches in moderate- and low-income neighborhoods or risk downgrades after their next Community Reinvestment Act examination.