A trio of mutual thrifts have filed paperwork to sell a total of $350 million in stock as part of planned conversions to stock companies.

The $3.7 billion-asset company filed a registration form with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on March 10 for an initial public offering.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., Japan's biggest bank, raised a record $4 billion selling bonds to help fund its goal of becoming a top 10 U.S. lender.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is one of the few government agencies that remains popular with community banks.

The Florida company's initial backers made a lot of money from a 2009 government-backed deal. Still, BankUnited's PE backers say the final sale of their stake in the resurrected lender is bittersweet.

A New Jersey appeals court ruled that debt buyers do not have to provide notice to consumers when debts are purchased and assigned but must prove they own the debt and the amount before they can collect. Further, electronic business records are sufficient for proof.

The Michigan company is buying Nortwestern Bancorp, fleshing out a major part of its franchise map. Though Northwestern's loan portfolio has been steadily shrinking, Chemical executives expect to generate double-digit loan growth from the seller's markets.

Cardinal Financial (CFNL) in Tysons Corner, Va., has merged its two banks.

Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) in Moultrie, Ga., has agreed to buy Coastal Bankshares in Savannah, Ga.

Chemical Financial (CHFC) in Midland, Mich., has agreed to buy Northwest Bancorp in Traverse City, Mich.

In his annual shareholder address, the longtime CEO explained how M&T is working to fix its BSA compliance issues, took a swipe at megabanks and sang the praises of the bank's hometown.

The Charlotte, N.C., bank offers a model for other community banks that have expanded quickly in recent years but face a pricier M&A market: focus on smaller deals that provide additional liquidity and plug geographic holes.

Four private-equity investors have sold their remaining stakes in BankUnited (BKU) in Miami Lakes, Fla., for almost $393 million.

A breakdown of M&A announcements in the financial services industry for the week ended March 8.

Joseph Stilwell said in recent regulatory filings that he wants Fairmount Bancorp in Baltimore and Harvard Illinois Bancorp to find buyers. He also filed a document backing Jefferson Bancshares' planned sale to HomeTrust.

Zaio Corp. (ZAO), a Canadian company that tracks property values in the U.S., is in talks to acquire Axis Appraisal Management Solutions in San Rafael, Calif.

BOK Financial Corp. (BOKF) in Tulsa, Okla., has agreed to buy MBM Advisors, a wealth management firm based in Houston.

A spike in consolidation is expected to provide growth-minded banks with more opportunities to lure executives and commercial lenders.

First Bancshares (FBMS) in Hattiesburg, Miss., has agreed to buy BCB Holding in Mobile, Ala.

M&T Bank, the lender struggling to complete its merger with Hudson City Bancorp, cut Chief Executive Officer Robert Wilmers's pay by 23% last year as the stock lagged.