First Interstate BancSystem (FIBK) in Billings, Mont., has agreed to buy Mountain West Financial (MTWF) in Helena, Mont.

The two top execs at consumer-finance startup Simple took to a public forum -- a social media chat among tech investors including the famed Marc Andreessen -- to discuss the pros and cons of buying a bank.

Bankruptcy used to be uncharted water in banking, but the drastic measure is starting to look like the only way for some institutions to reach dry land.

Horizon Bancorp (HBNC) in Michigan City, Ind., has agreed to buy the assets of 1st Mortgage of Indiana in Indianapolis.

Italy's UniCredit is looking for partners interested in its unit that manages problematic debt for the group and other entities and will ask for bids by the end of February, according to a Reuters report.

The London financial software company Misys has agreed to purchase IND Group of Hungary.

Pioneer Bancshares in Dripping Springs, Texas, has agreed to buy the holding company of Union State Bank in Kerrville, Texas.

First Mariner Bancorp (FMAR) in Baltimore is planning a $100 million recapitalization of its bank led by a group of investors.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is offering $390 million of non-performing loans as banks including HSBC Holdings PLC and Regions Financial Corp. increasingly look to sell troubled mortgage debt.

The company wants to supplement the loss of revenue from mortgage banking with a potentially large acquisition. CEO Gary Douglass says he is interested in banks with $400 million to $1 billion in assets.

Capital One has acquired and partnered with a series of technology companies and is now starting to build digital services that hinge on the new tech. One such pilot lets small business owners distribute discounts to nearby shoppers' smartphones for a fee.

CommunityOne Bancorp (COB) in Asheboro, N.C., reported its second consecutive quarterly profit.

News Release - Longtime volunteer and industry leader Mike Bendickson was awarded the Bud Reitzel Lifetime Commitment Award at the 17th DBA International Conference.

The Ohio company expects to receive an additional $46 million from loans it had marked impaired when it bought Citizens Republic. Management also expects more cost cutting than it originally projected.

Crossline Capital in Lake Forest, Calif., has acquired Medallion Mortgage Co. in Agoura Hills for an undisclosed price.

A little-known dissident investor wants the company to sell. Another shareholder is comfortable giving management them more time to become profitable. A key issue involves the company's deferred-tax asset.

Cascade Bancorp (CACB) in Bend, Ore., reported lower quarterly profits as merger costs drove up noninterest expenses.

Add PrivateBancorp to the list of financial institutions that have managed to grow commercial loans organically and are eyeing acquisitions that would improve liquidity in a rising-rate environment.

Anchor Bancorp (ANCB) in Lacey, Wash., is facing pressure from an activist investor to sell itself.

A breakdown of M&A announcements in the financial services industry for the week ended Feb. 1.