Commerce Bancshares (CBSH) in Kansas City, Mo., has agreed to sell three branches in rural southeastern Missouri to New Era Bank in Fredericktown, Mo.

Washington Federal (WAFD) in Seattle negotiated a discount on its recent purchase of Bank of America (BAC) branches after deposits levels at those locations fell.

Valley National Bancorp (VLY) in Wayne, N.J., has agreed to buy 1st United Bancorp (FUBC) in Boca Raton, Fla.

The $44.5 million purchase comes as financial tech companies continue to enhance online and mobile offerings.

Xenith Bankshares (XBKS) in Richmond, Va., has named Thomas Snead Jr. chairman.

Simmons First National (SFNC) in Pine Bluff, Ark., has agreed to buy Community First Bancshares in Union City, Tenn.

Wayne Griest, Continental's chief executive, once worked with Bryn Mawr's CEO at another institution. That familiarity came in handy as the two banks began discussing the potential of a merger.

The New York company has emerged from a regulatory order with a stated goal of branching out from a longtime focus on commercial real estate by adding specialty-lending lines. Now management is looking to leverage a huge cash buffer and strong deposit base.

UMB Financial (UMBF) in Kansas City, Mo., has agreed to buy the corporate trust business of RCB Bank in Claremore, Okla.

A breakdown of M&A announcements in the financial services industry for the week ended May 3.

Green Bancorp in Houston has agreed to buy SP Bancorp (SPBC) in Plano, Texas.

The company will soon exceed $50 billion in assets, which will bring with it added scrutiny and possible pressure to lower its dividend. CEO Joseph Ficalora is hopeful that he can preserve a high dividend, even though regulators appear to have a preference for repurchase activity.

First American Bank in Elk Grove Village, Ill., has agreed to buy Bank of Coral Gables in Florida.

First National Bank of Southern California announced Monday that it is acquiring First Mountain Bank in Big Bear Lake, Calif., in a deal that would roughly double its size.

The company, which agreed to buy Continental Bank in Pennsylvania, has the "firepower" for more deals as it looks to build the size to match its existing cost structure, CEO Ted Peters says.

Doral Financial (DRL) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is developing a revised capital plan to address concerns from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

Bryn Mawr Bank (BMTC) in Pennsylvania has agreed to buy Continental Bank Holdings in Plymouth Meeting, Pa.

Banc of California (BANC) in Irvine has acquired an 8% stake in Clearinghouse CDFI, an institution that serves low- to moderate-income communities in California and Nevada.

Lawrence Seidman helped arrange a face-to-face meeting of the companies' leaders, according to a regulatory filing. He also agreed to sell more than 2.3 million shares of Center stock to move the deal along.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed several changes to its biggest mortgage rules on Wednesday which would effectively allow lenders to get more loans defined as "qualified mortgages."