First Interstate BancSystem (FIBK) in Billings, Mont., will close eight branches after it acquires Mountain West Financial (MTWF) in Helena, Mont.

Trust-preferred creditors have forced two indebted bank holding companies into involuntary bankruptcy this summer. Secured lenders may soon follow their lead and start foreclosing on bank stock collateral.

KeyCorp (KEY) in Cleveland has agreed to buy Pacific Crest Securities, a technology-focused investment bank and capital markets firm.

Cardinal Financial (CFNL) in Tysons Corner, Va., blamed a 14% drop in profits on acquisition-related expenses.

Guaranty Bancorp (GBNK) in Denver has bought Cherry Hills Investment Advisors in Greenwood Village, Colo.

Farmers Bank & Trust in Magnolia, Ark., has agreed to acquire the 1st Bank of Texarkana, a $309 million-asset bank located just over the state line in Texas.

Vantage Bancorp in San Antonio has agreed to buy Medina Bankshares in D'Hanis, Texas.

A community group opposes Banc of California's plans to buy 20 branches, saying management isn't being open about plans to serve low-income and minority customers. The bank says it’s all a misunderstanding. Still, the issue shows why banks must foster good relations with powerful advocacy groups.

Community Bancshares in McArthur, Ohio, has agreed to buy Citizens Bank of Asheville in Ohio.

First Data's sale of $3.5 billion of its common equity in the private placement market closed on Friday, July 11.

Boston Private Financial Holdings (BPFH) has agreed to buy Banyan Partners, an investment advisory firm in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Smaller banks are disproportionately affected by regulation, forcing some to consider selling or to rethink their strategy, two community bankers argued before Congress.

The industry is slowly turning to valuations based on earnings rather than tangible book value, raising concerns that banks might feel pressure to make short-term decisions and ill-fated acquisitions.

The Virginia and West Virginia bankers associations have intensified merger discussions and could combine into a single trade group by year's end, according to a report Tuesday from Richmond BizSense.

Washington Federal (WAFD) in Seattle reported increased quarterly earnings after buying dozens of branches from Bank of America (BAC).

Independent Bank in McKinney, Texas, is planning to raise capital by issuing debt.

Shares of Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) rose in early trading Tuesday after the Little Rock, Ark., company reported a 30% increase in its second-quarter profit.

Commerce Bancshares (CBSH) in Kansas City, Mo., reported higher quarterly earnings because of a slight increase in revenue.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has squelched a plan to require banks to sign a contract that would have given the agency ownership of the content of consumers' complaints that it receives online.

TowneBank (TOWN) in Suffolk, Va., has agreed to buy Franklin Financial (FRNK) in Richmond, Va.