Investors Bancorp (ISBC) in Short Hills, N.J. reported a surge in quarterly profit because of a stronger balance sheet.

Associated Banc-Corp (ASBC) in Green Bay, Wisc., reported a profit of $44 million in the first quarter, down 4.6% from the same period last year, as fee income fell and credit costs increased.

Board members and prospects are nervous about personable liability, given a rise in government lawsuits against former directors of failed banks. While banks typically carry insurance for directors, it is unclear how much protection those policies provide.

National Penn Bancshares (NPBC) in Allentown, Pa., swung to a profit in the first quarter thanks to commercial loan growth and one-time factors that offset lower mortgage banking revenue.

MasterCard has entered an agreement to buy Pinpoint Pty. Ltd., a Sydney, Australia-based provider of loyalty and rewards services in the Asia Pacific region.

Consumers can now use Lending Club to pay for schooling or elective medical procedures.

First Horizon National (FHN) used a gain from the sale of mortgage servicing rights to offset declines in revenue and fee income.

Hancock Holding (HBHC) in Gulfport, Miss., reported higher quarterly earnings after it aggressively cut costs.

The Chicago-area company has shown a willingness to pursue small branch deals and expand in nearby Wisconsin as it looks for liquidity and lending opportunities.

Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) in the first quarter padded its litigation reserves and recorded one-time expenses related to a recent acquisition.

Banks from New Jersey to California are going public with offerings ranging from $23 million to $223 million. The banks will use the proceeds to do everything from buy other institutions to retire debt. Following is a look.

Capital One Financial is terminating its accounts with check-cashing stores, the latest sign that some banks are becoming pickier about their customers in the face of stepped-up scrutiny by federal regulators.

Robert Wilmers, chairman and CEO of M&T Bank, told shareholders at its annual meeting that times are tough for banking and that the continued delay of its Hudson City deal, and associated high costs, are disappointing. But he insisted that the deal is still worth doing.

National Penn Bancshares (NPBC) in Allentown, Pa., dropped out of the auction Tuesday afternoon after U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge David Rice agreed to reopen bidding for First Mariner.

The most notable quotes from American Banker stories of the previous week. Readers are encouraged to add their own observations in the Comments fields at the bottom of each slide.

Poage Bankshares (PBSK) in Ashland, Ky., and an activist investor have sent competing letters to shareholders ahead of next month's annual meeting.

Northern Trust Corp., the third-biggest independent U.S. custody bank, said first-quarter profit rose 11 percent, missing analysts' estimates as revenue grew more slowly than expected.

Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) in Little Rock, Ark., said that its first-quarter earnings climbed 26% from the same period last year, to $25.3 million, thanks largely to strong loan growth and an accounting gain stemming from its March acquisition of Texas of Bancshares.

Washington Federal (WAFD) in Seattle reported higher quarterly profit because of an improved deposit mix, increased fee income and loan growth.

Heritage Bancorp in Pearland, Texas, has agreed to buy Nixon State Bank in Nixon, Texas.