New York

Alma Bank in Astoria, N.Y., said Friday that George Katsiaunis will become its president. Katsiaunis is to succeed Luis Rebatta, who has been president of the $497.2 million-asset bank since it opened in 2007.

Bethpage Federal Credit Union has started an interactive marketing campaign that tells people, "It's time to give your bank a pink slip."

Carver Bancorp Inc. in New York is trying to raise its capital levels after receiving a cease-and-desist order from its regulator.

Bridge Bancorp in Bridgehampton, N.Y., said Tuesday that it has agreed to buy Hamptons State Bank of Southampton, N.Y., for $6.3 million.

For all the excitement generated by mergers and acquisitions across the Northeast, there is little else in the region to arouse bankers' enthusiasm.

First of Long Island Corp. in Glen Head, N.Y., said Monday that 2010 earnings increased 36.6%, to $18.4 million. The $1.7 billion-asset company also said earnings per share increased 25% for the year, to $2.30 from $1.84 in 2009.

Sterling Bancorp in New York said its net income grew 75% in the fourth quarter, from a year earlier, as noninterest income grew and credit costs declined.

First Niagara Financial Group Inc. in Buffalo reported a 58.8% increase in fourth-quarter net income Thursday. The $21 billion-asset company said its profit rose by $17 million from a year earlier, to $45.9 million, or 22 cents a share.

Astoria Financial Corp. in Lake Success, N.Y., has announced that its chief executive officer will retire at midyear.

Signature Bank in New York said Tuesday that it had earned $30.3 million in the fourth quarter, up 44% from a year earlier.

The Federal Reserve Board said Thursday it reached a written agreement with Intervest Bancshares Corp. of New York.

Suffolk Bancorp in Riverhead, N.Y., on Tuesday reported lower quarterly earnings as credit costs stayed high. The $1.62 billion-asset company's said fourth-quarter earnings fell 22.2% from a year earlier, to $4 million, or 41 cents a share.

Intervest Bancshares Corp. in New York on Tuesday posted a narrow fourth-quarter profit, reversing a recent trend of losses.

Though it's the big banks that are working with energy companies, smaller institutions still expect huge opportunities, some risks aside, to serve ancillary businesses and consumers.

The Federal Reserve Board reached written agreements with five community banks Thursday.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp in Pittsfield, Mass., has agreed to pay $108 million for hometown rival Legacy Bancorp.

Shareholders of First Niagara Financial Group Inc. and NewAlliance Bancshares Monday overwhelmingly approved their merger agreement despite strong disapproval from Connecticut officials.

Gouverneur Bancorp Inc. in New York said Friday that net income rose 28.8% in fiscal 2010. The $147 million-asset company earned $1.6 million in the year that ended Sept. 30, or 74 cents a share, compared with $1.3 million, or 56 cents a share, in the previous fiscal year. Total assets rose 2.2%, to $147 million.

People's United Financial Inc.'s acquisition of Smithtown Bancorp Inc. in Hauppauge, N.Y., is set to close Nov. 30.

Herald National Bank has turned a profit less than two years after being started at the height of the financial crisis.