Auburn State Bank and Carson National Bank of Auburn in Nebraska have received the go-ahead from the Federal Reserve to merge.

Talmer Bancorp has enough capital for M&A, though the large repurchase of stock from W.L. Ross might rule out a big acquisition for now.

MVB Financial in Fairmont, W.Va., has purchased two former Susquehanna Bank branches in West Virginia from BB&T.

A breakdown of M&A announcements in the financial services industry for the week ended August 29.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has lifted its operating agreement with the banking unit of Capital Bank Financial in Coral Gables, Fla.

Pacific Mercantile Bancorp in Costa Mesa, Calif., has reached an agreement to swap about 3 million shares of common stock for all of its outstanding preferred stock and warrants.

Colony Bankcorp in Fitzgerald, Ga., has redeemed about 17% of its Troubled Asset Relief Program preferred shares for about $4.3 million.

Northwest Bancorp. in Spokane has raised $20 million from a private placement of common stock. Northwest plans to use some of the proceeds to complete its acquisition of Fairfield Financial Holdings, which was announced in late June.

Riverview Bancorp in Vancouver, Wash., has reached a truce with the activist investment firm Ancora Advisors.

Suncrest Bank is hoping that its team of experienced executives, combined with organic growth and acquisitions, will help more than double its assets in the next few years.

Stewardship Financial in Midland Park, N.J., has issued $16.6 million in subordinated debt and plans to exit the Small Business Lending Fund program.

Harvard Illinois Bancorp shareholders have approved an agreement to sell the company, a big step toward a plan to wind down operations.

Wells Fargo has emerged as the front-runner to buy General Electric's railcar-financing unit, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Union Federal Savings & Loan Association and First Federal Savings & Loan Association, two mutuals in Kewanee, Ill., have agreed to merge.

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First NBC Bank Holding in New Orleans has agreed to raise its purchase price for State Investors Bancorp and has delayed the targeted completion date.

Premier Financial Bancorp in Huntington, W.Va., has received a $12 million loan from First Guaranty Bancshares in Hammond, La.

PayPal is increasing prices for thousands of small businesses as the company looks to maintain revenue growth and boost profit margins as a stand- alone business separate from EBay

Western Nebraska Bank in Curtis will buy a branch in Paxton, Neb., from Pony Express Community Bank.

First Financial Northwest is moving past its thrift roots three years after a proxy battle ousted its chief executive. Other banks in the same position are still trying to get back on track.