Strong investment-banking profits helped offset more lackluster commercial banking results, illustrating just how much big banks have to lose from lawmakers' latest attempts to rein in the largest banks.

Normally community banks avoid loan participations with nearby rivals, but a group of Delaware banks decided they had to do so to compete with big banks — and survive.

Commerzbank, Germany's second-biggest bank, agreed to sell its U.K. real estate lending unit to Wells Fargo and Lone Star Funds to comply with European Union state-aid rules following its bailout.

With this acquisition, Accenture hopes to become the largest end-to-end provider of mortgage services in the U.S., offering technology, business process outsourcing and software to banks.

First Bank in Hamilton, N.J., has agreed to buy Heritage Community Bank in Randolph.

MB Financial has agreed to buy Taylor Capital Group. The deal would create one of the largest banking companies in Chicago.

M&A, bank consolidation and marketing strategies are among the reasons why a number of banks have changed their names in recent months. Here are some notable examples from this year.

FBC Bancshares in Conroe, Texas, has raised $13 million in a debt offering.

Republic Bancorp (RBCAA) of Louisville, Ky., hopes a deal for a small thrift owned by H&R Block will help it rebuild momentum it has lost in recent years.

Wells Fargo set another profit record in the second quarter, but analysts wonder how long the streak can continue.

The largest U.S. bank's forecast of a steep decline in mortgage volume and continued regulatory uncertainty raised alarm bells about the whole industry. Possible growth in credit cards offered a ray of hope.

Republic Bancorp (RBCAA) is increasing its stake in the tax refund services business by buying the banking operations of H&R Block (HRB).

The private-equity firm, after having bought up a lot of rental homes to profit on the housing market recovery, is now making loans to others who want to do the same thing.

Ask Roberto Herencia, the new chairman of Metropolitan Bank Group, about its well-placed ATM near one of the Windy City's most popular bars, and he'll probably smile.

F.N.B. Corp. (FNB) in Hermitage, Pa., is establishing a regional headquarters in downtown Cleveland.

Chemung Financial in Elmira, N.Y., has agreed to buy six branches in upstate New York from Bank of America.

Crescent Financial Bancshares of Raleigh, N.C., is going to transfer its stock listing from the Nasdaq to the New York Stock Exchange. The company also announced it will change its name to VantageSouth Bancshares.

The number of bank deals and the average sale price fell in the first half, but M&A activity could increase the rest of the year if investors keep bidding up the stocks of bank buyers.

A larger-than-usual number of small banks, rising valuations for would-be acquirers, and lingering industry challenges are increasing the odds of deals in the Pennsylvania.

Citigroup is putting 90 branch buildings in California up for sale, with plans to lease them back.