Location Root Tag

Standard Financial Corp. in Monroeville, Pa., has agreed to buy Allegheny Valley Bancorp in Pittsburgh for $56.5 million.

CapStar Financial Holdings in Nashville, Tenn., whose board includes a top Credit Suisse executive, has filed plans to raise up to $46 million in an initial public offering.

Park Sterling in Charlotte, N.C., has negotiated an early termination of loss-share agreements with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. for about $15.5 million in assets.

First NBC’s annual report disclosed a full-year loss, lower capital levels and a spike in nonperforming loans, leaving outsiders to ponder how long it will take for the company to get back on track.

If roughing it together in the wilderness and cooking for one another build character and team spirit in schoolkids, scouts and soldiers, why shouldn't they do the same for bankers?

The "Culture Club" at Machias Savings Bank is not a group of '80s music fans. It's a committee — made up mainly of people who work in its human resources and marketing departments — that oversees the bank's employee engagement initiatives, including its new Culture Champion program.

Sometimes the very challenges millennials introduce — whether it is seeking more benefits, demanding flexible schedules or asking for frequent feedback on performance — can turn banks into better places to work for employees of all ages.

Quirky Amarillo National Bank asks the strangest job interview questions, has a "director of celebrations" on staff, and makes sure nobody has a title with the word "chief" in it. There isn't even a CEO.

Chesapeake Bank in Kilmarnock, Va., has endeared itself to its community, and its employees, by rewarding those who support area businesses.

Elmer Laslo, the chief executive of 1st Summit Bank in Johnstown, Pa., for 39 years, likes to say he manages "by walking around." Not only does his approach resonate with employees in a big way, it has helped keep 1st Summit among the most profitable publicly traded small banks in the country.

Roughly once a quarter senior executives at Community Bank in Brandon, Miss., take a select group of up-and-coming managers on a three-day retreat. The trips are part of a management training course known as the Falcon Program that took flight in 2012.

An initiative to create a more nurturing workplace helped First Busey improve its employee engagement, its standing with customers, and its performance.

Sometimes what makes a bank a great place to work is more about the coworkers than the job itself.

Citizens Bank of West Virginia in Elkins boosts morale by having employees deliver surprise gifts of thousands of dollars each year to residents of its hardscrabble town (pop. 7,000).

Make it three in a row for Live Oak Bank. Initiatives like "Live Oak U" help explain why this bank has topped our list of the best places to work for three years running.

HomeBanc's chairman and chief executive, Jerry Campbell, prefers not to be addressed as "Mr. Campbell." If an employee of any rank has a question, "Hey, Jerry" suffices.

Bell Bank, No. 3 in the overall ranking, is No. 1 in the category for banks with $3 billion to $10 billion of assets.

Popular among employees: The Wow, Win and Spirit awards, which come with different levels of monetary prizes, go to exceptional employees throughout the year. Then, at the end of the year, there is a drawing from the pool of winners for a $1,000 prize.

Benchmark Bank is willing to work with the people who work for it.

Pinnacle, No. 6 in the overall ranking, is No. 2 in the category for banks with $3 billion to $10 billion of assets.