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East Texas Financial Services Inc. in Tyler has agreed to be acquired for $23.5 million by a company owned by one of its board members.

After three consecutive years of losses directly related to residential real estate, Flagstar Bancorp Inc. of Troy, Mich., is looking to diversify its portfolio in 2010.

Texans wrote fewer checks for purchases in 2009 than in 2008, instead using their debit and credit cards.

Citizens Republic Bancorp Inc. in Flint, Mich., announced Monday that it has agreed to sell its F&M Bank subsidiary in Des Moines for $50 million in cash to Great Western Bank, a Sioux Falls, S.D., unit of National Australia Bank.

Fourth-quarter earnings reports from small and midsize banking companies showcase some favorable trends, notably that credit deterioration appears to be stabilizing and deposits have bloomed on many balance sheets.

WASHINGTON — For the second Friday in a row, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. relied on new-bank capital to find homes for the operations of failed institutions.

Glacier Bancorp Inc. of Kalispell, Mont., said Friday that its fourth-quarter net earnings fell 44% from a year earlier, to $9.5 million.

Harleysville National Corp. of Pennsylvania announced Friday that its fourth-quarter net income fell 26% year over year, to $2.8 million.

The $11 billion-asset company reported a net loss available to shareholders of $15.7 million, compared with a $69.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2008.

Loan sales helped a growing number of community banks push some of their problems out the door in the fourth quarter.

The $14.8 billion-asset thrift company announced late Wednesday that MatlinPatterson Global Advisors LLC, a New York private-equity firm, injected $300 million into Flagstar as part of a rights offering announced late last year.

Even as many other community banks have recoiled, Iberiabank Corp. lately has been on a growth tear — raising capital, buying four failed banks and picking up lending teams from competitors.

Fifth Third Processing Solutions LLC said Thursday that five banks have agreed to use its processing services.

Cardtronics Inc.'s agreement to deploy automated teller machines aboard five Carnival Cruise Line ships is a sign of growing competition in this lucrative niche.

With more than half of BBVA Compass' branches based in the Lone Star state, the unit's large 2009 loss tied to commercial real estate loans is casting doubt on Texas's immunity to the economy.

With nonperforming assets declining and two consecutive profitable quarters under its belt, the Atlanta company is planning for a year of black ink.

Despite three big boosts to capital in 2009, First Financial Bancorp in Cincinnati is looking to amass an even bigger treasure chest of capital this year.

Heartland Financial USA Inc. of Dubuque, Iowa, reported a net 2009 loss of $9.2 million for common shareholders, 200% larger than the 2008 loss.

Signature Bank reported Tuesday that fourth-quarter earnings rose more than 60%, capping what the New York company said was its best year since its inception in 2001.

After three consecutive quarterly losses, Virginia Commerce Bancorp Inc. announced Tuesday that it returned to profitability in the fourth quarter.