New York

BBVA Compass is ramping up efforts along the East Coast with plans to open loan-production offices in New York and Washington.

BankUnited handed out free ice cream and metro cards at its new Manhattan branches to build branch recognition.

The board of NBT Bancorp (NBTB) 's board has made sweeping changes to the Norwich, N.Y., company's bylaws.

Jeffersonville Bancorp (JFBC) is set to become the latest New York company to exchange the federal charter of its bank for oversight by a state regulator.

A changing asset mix boosted third-quarter results at Sterling Bancorp (STL) in New York. The $2.5 billion-asset company's rose 23% from a year earlier, to $5.3 million.

NBT Bancorp (NBTB) will acquire Alliance Financial (ALNC) in a deal valued at $233 million.

Sophia Haliotis will be a senior vice president for Popular Community, the U.S. unit of the $36.3 billion-asset Popular in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and guide its expansion of commercial banking in the New York City region.

Provident New York Bancorp (PBNY) in Montebello has raised roughly $46 million to help fuel its expansion in the New York City area.

Hudson Valley Holding (HVB) in Yonkers, N.Y., reported lower second-quarter earnings after net interest income dropped from the same period a year earlier.

Provident Bank in Montebello, N.Y., has recruited another team of lenders away from a rival bank as part of its broad plan to boost its commercial lending in the New York City area.

Double-digit loan growth boosted the bottom line more than 20% at Signature Bank (SBNY) in New York.

Provident New York Bancorp (PBNY) in Montebello, N.Y., has established a wealth management services division that will be led by of its top executives.

Carver Bancorp (CARV) reported a wider loss for the quarter that ended on March 31, compared to a year earlier, largely because of higher chargeoffs and reduced loan income.

Saratoga National Bank and Trust in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., has announced its succession plan for when its current chief executive and president, Raymond F. O’Conor, steps down at the end of the year.

When HSBC sold its branches in upstate New York, it created a big change with dozens of branches changing hands. Once the signs are changed, a number of community banks and regionals will have to work hard to keep business in those branches.

George L. Engelke Jr. has resigned as chairman of Astoria Financial (AF), ending his long tenure with the Lake Success, N.Y., company that included a 22-year run as its chief executive officer.

Wells Fargo (WFC) is planning to add up to 200 jobs at its call center in Salem, Ore., and M&T Bank (MTB) of Buffalo, N.Y., intends to hire as many as 30 new employees in the Albany, N.Y., area, according to local news reports.

Northeast Community Bancorp (NECB) in White Plains, N.Y., is opening a fourth branch in Massachusetts as part of its continued expansion in the suburbs surrounding Boston.

Suffolk Bancorp (SUBK) swung to a profit in the first quarter as the Riverhead, N.Y., company continued to shed the problem assets that dogged it for much of 2011.

Intervest Bancshares (IBCA) in New York said Monday that its first-quarter profit climbed 53% from the same period in 2011 due primarily to lower overhead and improved asset quality.