New Jersey

As banks grow and their business models become more complex, some find that adding a general counsel to the staff makes sense. Bank SNB in Stillwater, Okla., says hiring one allowed it to reduce its legal fees by 80%. Here are the pros and cons.

Valley National Bancorp in Wayne, N.J., had stronger quarterly profit that reflected improved revenue.

The $4 billion-asset company said in a press release Friday that the notes will bear an initial fixed interest rate at 5.1%. The debt will mature in 2026.

Unity Bancorp in Clinton, N.J., has registered to sell up to $50 million in securities over time.

United Roosevelt Savings Bank in Carteret, N.J., has agreed to buy Wawel Financial Services in Garfield, N.J.

A breakdown in internal controls at Bank of Princeton almost killed a deal to sell the company to Investors Bancorp.

Marlin Business Services in Mt. Laurel, N.J., has partnered with electronics manufacturer JVCKenwood USA to provide financing plans for its customers.

Investors Bancorp in Short Hills, N.J., has joined the ranks of banks flagged by regulators for Bank Secrecy Act issues.

Valley National Bancorp in Wayne, N.J., has taken several steps to help it navigate through a difficult interest rate environment.

Banco do Brasil, the largest bank by assets in South America, wants to make more of a name for itself in the United States. It expects a new online banking platform to help draw mainstream consumers, and says an expansion from South Florida into the Northeast is likely.

Provident Financial Services in Iselin, N.J., reported relatively flat quarterly results as lower fees offset loan growth.

Quarterly profit at CIT Group plunged after the in Livingston, N.J., company recorded $167 million in charges tied to its discontinued reverse-mortgage servicing unit.

Valley National Bancorp in Wayne, N.J., reported higher quarterly profit because of loan sales and increases in other fees.

The $2.1 billion-asset company said in a press release Tuesday that its second-quarter earnings rose 4.7% from a year earlier to $3 million, or 16 cents a share.

OceanFirst Financial in Toms River, N.J., has agreed to buy Ocean Shore Holding in Ocean City, N.J.

Community banks are stepping up efforts to raise cheap capital to fuel loan growth, make acquisitions and redeem pricier sources of funds.

First Bank in Hamilton, N.J., has raised $13.7 million by selling common stock.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp in Pittsfield, Mass., has agreed to buy First Choice Bank in Lawrenceville, N.J.

OceanFirst Bank in Toms River, N.J., now has extra reason to cheer for the Monmouth University men’s basketball team that was in the running for an NCAA tournament berth last season.

Peapack-Gladstone Financial in Bedminster, N.J., is considering additional acquisitions in wealth management after raising $50 million in subordinated debt.