BancorpSouth (BXS) in Tupelo, Miss., reported a big jump in profit as credit quality continued to improve.

Farmers Capital Bank (FFKT) in Frankfort, Ky., is one step closer to being freed from a regulatory order.

Executives at KeyCorp and Fifth Third Bancorp said they are noticing increased consumer confidence, which would translate into more lending opportunities this year.

Paydiant has received a patent covering technology that allows consumers to withdraw cash out of ATMs with their smartphones, a feature that it says should appeal to banks.

Perhaps more community banks should think boldly like TriCo Bancshares. The small California bank's deal to buy another rural lender, North Valley Bancorp, could give it the scale it needs to knock heads with Wells Fargo and B of A, its execs say.

The Target and Neiman Marcus breaches have reignited data security as an issue on Capitol Hill, but many hurdles still stand in the way of legislation.

Flagstar Bancorp (FBC) in Troy, Mich., outstripped earnings estimates by a wide margin as the company received a $410 million tax benefit and slashed its loan-loss provision by 72%.

Columbia Banking System (COLB) in Tacoma, Wash., reported higher quarterly earnings buoyed by last year's purchase of West Coast Bancorp in Lake Oswego, Ore.

Financial institutions that can figure out how to couple an efficient and optimized loan process with personalized service will win in the future.

Coinmkt, a digital currency exchange based in Los Angeles, has opened an account with E-Trade to allow users to deposit U.S. dollars into the exchange as wire transfers from U.S. bank accounts.

Barkocy, research director of Mendon Capital Advisors, salutes his mentors and confesses a soft spot for small banks as he prepares to wrap up a career that lasted nearly five decades.

PacWest Bancorp (PACW) of Los Angeles reported a steep decline in quarterly earnings after it took a large charge tied to stock awards.

National Penn Bancshares (NPBC) in Boyertown, Pa., will close nine branches as it looks to cut costs.

Alemany, who stepped down as head of RBS Citizens Financial Group in October, will serve as a director and audit committee member at business lender CIT Group.

Purchases of previously owned homes climbed in December for the first time in five months as job gains and healthier household balance sheets helped Americans adjust to higher mortgage rates.

Citigroup, which cut unwanted assets 25% last year, should no longer be expected to offer clients unlimited financial services, Chief Executive Officer Michael Corbat said.

BankUnited (BKU) in Miami Lakes, Fla., reported quarterly earnings that were in line with Wall Street expectations.

California's plan to halt payday loan services owned by Indian tribes was dealt a setback this week after a state appeals court ruled tribal sovereign immunity stands in the way.

Susquehanna Bancshares (SUSQ) in Lititz, Pa., reported a profit of $41.3 million in the fourth quarter, down 4.4% from a year earlier.

The latest Equifax National Consumer Credit Trends Report indicates that the automobile lending sector continues to thrive. The total number of new auto loans originated from January through October 2013 was 20.2 million, totaling $405.2 billion and representing the highest origination total for that time in eight years.