KeyCorp, Ohio's second-largest bank, has agreed to buy First Niagara Financial Group Inc. in a $4.1 billion cash-and-stock deal that extends the company's reach in upstate New York.

KeyCorp's deal to buy First Niagara is a return to significant M&A for a company that has long been content to stay on the sidelines. But getting such a deal approved is tougher than ever, and will test Beth Mooney’s regulatory juice.

October saw the three main card networks invest in bitcoin-related companies, which comes on the heels of major banks exploring the use of bitcoin and blockchain technology to solve some industry pain points.

New York Community has long wanted a deal to push it over $50 billion of assets. While Astoria accomplishes that, it does little to diversify New York Community's geography or reduce its reliance on multifamily lending.

Bank of America in Charlotte, N.C., is selling 23 branches in West Coast states. The bank also plans to sell a total of $1.2 billion in deposits and $821,000 in loans to TriCo Bancshares in Chico, Calif.; Bank of Commerce Holdings in Redding, Calif.; and Cascade Bancorp in Bend, Ore.

The speculation is over and a deal has been announced. How will the regulatory process play out? What will the branch network look like? These questions are more are worth asking as New York Community takes the next few months to shore up support for this $2 billion acquisition.

KeyCorp is in advanced talks to buy First Niagara Financial, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Spencer Savings Bank and Southbridge Savings Bank in Massachusetts have agreed to merge in a combination of mutual thrifts in the Worcester, Mass., area.

MB Financial in Chicago has agreed to buy an asset management firm.

Santander Consumer USA Holdings plans to exit personal lending and focus primarily on its auto-finance business.

New York Community Bancorp has agreed to buy Astoria Financial for about $2 billion in cash and stock, combining two of the largest New York-area banks to create an institution with about $64 billion in total assets.

Mercantile Bank in Grand Rapids, Mich., plans to close five branches to cut costs. The $2.9 billion-asset company said in a press release Wednesday that it plans to close the branches in the first quarter.

Eastern Bank's 18-month-old innovation unit, run by startup veterans, is preparing to release its first product as the industry continues to allocate resources to internal tech labs while wondering when and how such efforts will pay off.

Executives at small banks and credit unions told the Senate Banking Committee about horror stories of technical glitches, vendor delays and overworked appraisers, while expressing an interest in having more time to comply with new mortgage rules.

CenterState Banks in Davenport, Fla., has agreed to buy Hometown of Homestead Banking Co. in Homestead, Fla.

United Community Banks in Blairsville, Ga., reported higher quarterly earnings despite costs tied to its purchase of Palmetto Bancshares in South Carolina.

First Capital was on Jim Cherry short list of recapitalization targets before the ex-Wachovia executive raised more than $150 million to rebuild Park Sterling in Charlotte. Park Sterling eventually agreed to buy First Capital earlier this month.

A move by the National Labor Relations Board could force more legal liability on franchisors for actions taken by their franchisees. Some observers believe banks could become more reluctant lending to smaller franchisors until the issue has more clarity.

First Northern Community Bancorp in Dixon, Calif., has exited the Small Business Lending Fund.

A large investor in 1st Century Bancshares is upset that the Los Angeles company is looking to raise new capital.