Regulators' recent moves to encourage lenders to relax standards have reignited a contentious debate over whether looser credit will revitalize the housing market or set it up for another disaster.

Many people in Florida were sure that M&A would pass over the Sunshine State for years after the financial crisis. But a recent influx of deals suggests that Florida hasn't lost its luster.

TS Banking Group in Treynor, Iowa, has agreed to buy Tioga Bank Holding Co. in Tioga, N.D.

CertusBank fired its founders for providing inaccurate budgets and for failing to devise a strategy after its failed-bank deals dried up, the Greenville, S.C., company said in court filings.

Malvern Bancorp (MLVF) in Paoli, Pa., is facing activist pressure to sell itself.

Illinois state regulators closed the $66.3 million-asset AztecAmerica Bank in Berwyn on Friday.

Sandy Spring Bancorp (SASR) in Olney, Md., said its second-quarter earnings will be reduced after a Maryland jury awarded a $6.05 million verdict in a case involving a former employee.

The $1.7 billion-asset Carlile — founded in 2009 to acquire banks in Texas and elsewhere — has agreed to buy Community Bankers Inc., Carlile President Don Cosby said Friday.

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HCBF Holding in Fort Pierce, Fla., has agreed to buy Highlands Independent Bancshares in Sebring, Fla.

Community & Southern Holdings in Atlanta has agreed to buy Alliance Bancshares in Dalton, Ga.

ANB Bank in Denver has agreed to buy Capital West Bank in Laramie, Wyo.

Cullen/Frost Bankers (CFR) in San Antonio has agreed to refrain from announcing more acquisitions until it improves its compliance programs.

Bankwell Financial Group (BWFG) of New Canaan, Conn., raised nearly $49 million through its initial public offering.

Under pressure from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to increase its capital levels, Doral Financial (DRL) is selling its health care lending division to Triumph Bancorp in Dallas.

Buyers still exist for mortgage platforms. The problem is that the gap in pricing expectations for buyers and sellers has widened since refinance activity stalled last summer.

Glass-Lewis wants Solera's investors to reject a slate from the Colorado company’s biggest shareholder. ISS is urging people to withhold support for eight of Solera’s 11 nominees – though the proxy firm is unwilling to endorse any alternates.

Doral Financial (DRL) is evaluating its legal options after Puerto Rico rejected the company's request for a $230 million refund of overpaid taxes.

A founding director at Touchmark Bancshares in Georgia claims he was ousted after questioning the bank's strategy. Now he is lobbying for the company's sale.

Taylor Capital (TAYC) in Chicago has been notified by the Federal Reserve Board that its bank is facing an enforcement action for employing deceptive trade practices.