There were a lot of deals last month involving larger community banks, and prices rose nearly 60% from a year earlier. The results will only feed more of those kinds of transactions.

Intrum Justitia AB acquired Profidebt s.r.o., a market leader in purchased debt in the Czech Republic, for approximately $41.9 million.

Attorneys Rusty Conner and Michael Reed are bringing their expertise in bank M&A and capital markets to law firm Covington & Burling.

There are too many things in M&A that buyers cannot control, including the willingness of the right targets to sell, economic conditions and the likelihood that desire will interfere with good due diligence, two Midwest bankers warn.

AltaPacific Bancorp (ABNK) in Santa Rosa, Calif., has agreed to buy Mission Oaks Bancorp (MOKB) in Temecula, Calif.

WSFS Financial (WSFS) in Wilmington, Del., realized some of the benefits of its M&A strategy last quarter.

Investors Bancorp (ISBC) in Short Hills, N.J., which is poised for a second-step conversion, saw quarterly profits soar on big loan growth.

Salisbury Bank and Trust (SAL) in Lakeville, Conn., has agreed to purchase a branch from Union Savings Bank in Danbury, Conn.

Kearny Financial Corp. (KRNY) in Fairfield, N.J., has agreed to buy Atlas Bank in Brooklyn, N.Y.

A big payment to a former executive and a decline in fee income hurt earnings at Brookline Bancorp (BRKL) in Boston last quarter.

Lakeland Bancorp (LBAI) in Oak Ridge, N.J., reported higher net income after buying Somerset Hills Bancorp.

The CenterState/First Southern in Florida deal shows how banks have to cut expenses, make acquisitions and then make more cuts to move ahead in the long run.

Sterling Financial (STSA) in Spokane, Wash., posted higher quarterly profit that was aided by recent acquisitions.

First Citizens BancShares (FCNCA) in Raleigh, N.C., received an earnings boost from improved credit quality and a favorable adjustment to loss-share agreements with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) of Little Rock, Ark., has agreed to buy Summit Bancorp in Arkadelphia, Ark.

United Bankshares (UBSI) in Charleston, W.Va., saw earnings fall as fee income took a dive last quarter.

Prosperity Bancshares (PB) in Houston is rearranging a number of its management posts.

CenterState Banks (CSFL) in Davenport, Fla., has agreed to buy First Southern Bancorp (FSOF) in Boca Raton, Fla.

Banks that trade over-the-counter have long had concerns their stocks suffer from light trading and visibility. They hope a new exchange will help boost their stocks' liquidity and their buying power for acquisitions.