Mobile banking services hold serious sway over small business owners, according to a new study.

Pioneer Financial Services in Kansas City, Mo., has appointed Joe Freeman chief executive.

SouthCrest Financial Group (SCSG) in Peachtree City, Ga., has received regulatory approval to merge its four banks into a single charter operating under the name SouthCrest Bank.

The Federal Reserve Board has terminated enforcement actions with Cornerstone Holding Co. in Fargo, N.D., and Commerce Bancshares in Catoosa, Okla.

Union First Market Bankshares (UBSH) in Richmond, Va., has taken a stake in a local payments firm.

U.S. Bancorp (USB) in Minneapolis has agreed to buy the Chicago branches of RBS Citizens Financial Group, a deal that would double its deposit share in the Windy City.

Tompkins Financial (TMP) in Ithaca, N.Y., has promoted Scott Gruber to chief executive of its subsidiary VIST Bank in Wyomissing, Pa. He succeeded Robert Davis, who retired as chief executive on Dec. 31.

Bay Bancorp (BYBK) in Lutherville, Md., has hired two executives.

Community Bank in Pasadena, Calif., has hired a chief executive.

Convergys, based in Cincinnati, agreed Monday to buy rival call center giant Stream Global Services for $820 million.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. agreed to pay $1.7 billion to resolve U.S. claims that it played a role in facilitating Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme, the government said, resolving yet another legal obstacle facing the bank.

The vice chairman of M&T Bank (MTB) has resigned, spurring the Buffalo company to expand the roles of a handful of top executives.

The Sniper's main contribution seems to be shooting down others' ideas. The Historian defends the status quo to the end and the Jetson is convinced the bank's existence rides on the latest technology craze. All of these mind-sets are shortsighted.

Square 1 Financial in Durham, N.C., is planning an initial public offering.

Glacier Bancorp (GBCI) in Kalispell, Mont., has reclassified 15% of its investment securities portfolio.

A year ago we asked BankThink contributors to make bold predictions about 2012. Here's a look back at their forecasts and the actual outcomes.

A pair of companies has launched services on Twitter that allow users to transact in Bitcoin across the microblogging site. And while Twitter has been selective of what companies facilitate payments in the past, the social networking giant hasn't yet touched these Bitcoin services.

The new year got off to a mixed start for virtual currency, with regulators in Asia clamping down on Bitcoin and gaming company Zynga embracing the emerging payments option.

The finalization of the Volcker Rule signals that banks have reached "the height of the regulatory burden that has been placed on banks" since 2008, according to ConnectOne CEO Frank Sorrentino III. Now bankers just need to figure out how to fully comply with these new rules. Sorrentino, also a board member of the American Bankers Association, discusses his outlook for industry regulation in 2014.

Little Bank (LTLB) in Kinston, N.C., said in a press release Monday that fouder and chairman, Felix Harvey, died on Jan. 2. He was 93.