Dick Bove, the country's most quotable bank analyst, has a new firm, a 167-page "Banking Manifesto," and a lot of optimism about the industry's future.

Lakeland Bancorp (LBAI) in Oak Ridge, N.J., has tapped a new leader for its bank just two days after announcement plans to buy Somerset Hills Bancorp (SOMH).

ACI Worldwide and Fidelity National Information Services each announced acquisitions of companies that provide payments technology.

Pioneer Credit Recovery, a collection agency in New York state, has helped a county in Illinois recoup $320,000 in 11 months.

The Treasury Department has unloaded its latest round of bank stocks from the Troubled Asset Relief Program at a deep discount.

Consumer debt buyers rarely get thorough documentation of the defaulted loans they purchase, a Federal Trade Commission report found.

The long-delayed merger between First California Financial Group (FCAL) and Premier Service Bank (PSBK) has been called off.

Porter Bancorp (PBIB) in Louisville, Ky., has turned to Sandler O'Neill to help it recapitalize after another quarterly loss.

One PacificCoast Bancorp (OPCB) in Oakland, Calif., has agreed to buy a controlling stake in Albina Community Bancorp (ACBC) in Portland, Ore.

Capital Bank Financial (CBF) of Coral Gables, Fla., marked its first full quarter as a public company with an increase in profits that fell short of expectations.

The valuation of United Bankshares' deal for Virginia Commerce — 1.8 times tangible book — is an encouraging sign for other sellers.

The Minnesota bank is generating strong profits on its specialty lending, but is the run-up in its stock price a validation of that strategy or investors hoping that it will be acquired?

First Belleville Bancshares didn't buy First National Bank in Hays, Kan., because of the seller's accounts-receivable unit, though the business could prove to be a nice added value.

Earnings at State Bank Financial (STBZ) in Atlanta rose 2.2% in the fourth quarter from a year earlier, to $9.3 million.

Big banks must get smaller. Small banks must get bigger. All banks must turn their attention away from crisis-era baggage and show how they'll consistently make money from now on.

Earnings at United Bankshares rose 5% from a year earlier to $21.2 million. Earnings of 42 cents a share were 1 cent below analysts' average estimate, according to Bloomberg.

In announcing plans to buy the $2.8 billion-asset Virginia Commerce, United Bankshares has made a deal that will dramatically increase its market share around the nation's capital.

The Riverhead, N.Y., company is profitable again and playing offense after purging bad loans and raising capital in recent months

The Spokane, Wash., company has agreed to sell three branches to Pacific Financial (PFLC) in Aberdeen, Wash. The branches are in Astoria, Ore., Seaside, Ore., and Aberdeen.

FirstMerit (FMER) of Akron, Ohio, seeks to raise as much as $350 million in connection with its deal for Citizens Republic Bancorp (CRBC).