Kennebec Savings Bank has a 19th century charter, but it is poised for a complex conversion to deal with modern challenges like activists investors, M&A pressures and even Basel III.

Attendees at this year's D.A. Davidson Conference believe the approval process is calming down somewhat. Other bankers say they are looking to lower capital levels, with many showing an interest in deposit-rich franchises.

Banc of California (BANC) in Irvine is looking to raise $100 million by selling common stock and tangible equity units.

Payday loans are costly, habit-forming and often bad for consumers' financial health. Still, they've proven hard for other lenders to compete against.

Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) keeps expanding in Michigan, agreeing to buy 13 more branches from Bank of America (BAC).

HV Bancorp in Huntingdon Valley, Pa., has filed to sell more than $13 million in stock as part of its planned conversion to a stock company.

Doral, under pressure from the FDIC to boost capital or sell assets, is demanding a refund from the territory tied to certain receivables. The capital issue prompted to downgrades from several ratings agencies.

BitPay, an Atlanta-based company that processes payments in the digital currency bitcoin, said it secured $30 million in venture capital funding.

Five Star Credit Union in Dothan, Ala., has received approval from the Alabama Credit Union Administration to buy Flint River National Bank in Camilla, Ga.

A breakdown of M&A announcements in the financial services industry for the week ended May 10.

Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross is looking to raise roughly $400 million to buy or invest in struggling companies.

The investment bank has moved its annual banking conference to Denver after 16 years in Seattle, signaling its desire to do more bank deals in the central U.S. where M&A activity is expected to get busier.

The Utah-based payments processing company eGlobal has acquired the assets of The Best There Is Inc., a provider of ATM services in Boca Raton, Fla.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., Japan's biggest lender, is considering a bid for Bank of New York Mellon Corp.'s corporate trust arm, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Taylor Capital (TAYC) in Chicago is no longer looking to sell its mortgage banking operation.

First Farmers Financial (FFMR) in Converse, Ind., has agreed to buy seven branches in Indiana from Bank of Montreal's BMO Harris Bank.

Glacier Bancorp (GBCI) in Kalispell, Mont., has agreed to buy First National Bank of the Rockies in Grand Junction, Colo.

Kevin Cummings, CEO of Investors Bancorp, wants to reach $30 billion in assets in the next six years, but he admits that Investors must sharpen its focus on commercial clients to achieve that objective.

The Federal Reserve is seeking input on a measure that would bar U.S. banks from acquisitions that push their share of all financial-company liabilities above a 10% threshold.

A pair of acquisitions announced this week is creating chatter about out-of-market interest in Florida's banks. Still, some caution that bankers must be mindful of past mistakes by other long-distance buyers.