First Landmark Bank and Midtown Bank & Trust have agreed to a merger of equals, the second deal involving Atlanta-area banks announced on Monday.

Commerce Union Bank in Springfield, Tenn., has agreed to buy Reliant Bank in Brentwood, Tenn.

Multiple bidders are the new normal in bankruptcy auctions of banks. Case in point is Banner Corp., which anticipates at least one competing offer for Idaho Banking in Boise. Some banks are increasingly letting an initial bidder bear the preparatory expense before swooping in with a higher price.

State Bank Financial (STBZ) in Atlanta has agreed to buy Atlanta Bancorp.

Many mutuals feel pressure to sell or switch charters. But there's another option.

Drexel Hamilton, a startup broker-dealer making inroads in capital markets, pairs Wall Street pros with disabled military veterans, training the latter for new careers. It's a nice story, but in the ultra-competitive market of small-bank advising, will it sell?

Solera National Bancorp (SLRK) is firing back against two investors seeking control of the Lakewood, Colo., company's board.

Korean-American banks have been challenged by an aging core customer base, which threatens growth. Hanmi Chief Executive C.G. Kum plans to respond with a national SBA program and plans to court other immigrant communities.

S corporation banks are concerned that the capital conservative buffer under Basel III — and a potential prohibition from paying tax-distribution dividends to shareholder — could cause more of them to slow growth plans or merge.

First Financial Holdings (SCBT) in Columbia, S.C., reported a big leap in first-quarter profits thanks largely to double-digit growth in its loan portfolio.

Idaho Banking is the latest bank set to change hands through the bankruptcy process.

Former Bank of America Chief Financial Officer Joe Price has agreed to a $7.5 million fine to settle charges he deceived shareholders to push through the company's acquisition of Merrill Lynch.

Howard Bancorp in Ellicott City, Md., has agreed to buy a branch from Rising Sun Bancorp in Rising Sun, Md.

Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida (SBCF) in Stuart has agreed to buy The Bankshares in Winter Park, Fla.

Three of Certus' ousted executives depict a behind-the-scenes struggle at the Greenville, S.C., bank as management, directors and investors were often working at cross purposes. The lawsuit also discusses a possible merger with an unnamed bank that never took place.

Harvard Illinois Bancorp wants to name the son of a retiring director to replace him. It says the son is qualified for the job, but investor Joseph Stilwell -- who is backing another nominee to the board -- disagrees.

First Merchants Corp.(FRME) in Muncie, Ind., is benefiting from loan growth after a recent acquisition.

Reliant Bank in Brentwood, Tenn., is reportedly in talks to sell itself with Commerce Union Bank in Springfield, Tenn.

BankUnited (BKU) in Miami Lakes, Fla., reported higher quarterly earnings after selling some commercial loans.

First Niagara Financial Group's (FNFG) first-quarter profit fell 11.7% as job cuts and branch closures increased expenses.