Mega-banks are feeling pressure from shareholders and the public in ways that seemed unlikely even a few weeks ago.

Monarch Community Bancorp in Coldwater, Mich., plans to raise $16.5 million through a private placement.

Firstbank in Alma, Mich., plans to redeem its remaining Troubled Asset Relief Program shares for $17 million.

Freddie Mac will pay $7 billion to the Treasury Department after reporting the second-largest quarterly net income in the company's history.

Warburg Pincus Private Equity X, which owns just under 10% of Webster Financial, will sell its entire position in a secondary offering.

Payments processor Elavon has named Simon Haslam its chief executive officer. Haslam had been the head of international markets for the U.S. Bancorp unit.

The board of NBT Bancorp (NBTB) 's board has made sweeping changes to the Norwich, N.Y., company's bylaws.

As bank bosses sent out their annual shareholder letters in recent weeks, two themes dominated: The challenges of operating in an increasingly regulated, low interest rate world; and the desire to assure investors that they're putting safety first. Following are some notable quotes from around the industry.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Empower FCU said it is saving $2,745 per month – or almost $33,000 per year – after exterior LED lighting upgrades at seven of its branches.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – SESLOC FCU is planning to build a new, 9.5-acre office campus here, with hopes to open in the summer of 2014.

Shares of Bank of America (BAC) and Wells Fargo (WFC) have been on a roll in recent days and the New York attorney general's pledge Monday to sue the banking giants did nothing to slow their momentum.

A growing number of community banks are working with Farmer Mac to offer loans at lower rates, helping them compete with Farm Credit institutions.

The case for a national housing finance commission.

A bank cited by regulators for lending policies allegedly favoring minorities and women over white males is proof for some of just how frustrating it is for institutions to comply with fair lending laws.

A new paper commissioned by the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank, highlights risks community banks face from the Dodd-Frank Act.

Independent Bank Group in McKinney, Texas, was already a busy buyer. Now with nearly $90 million of fresh equity and a valuable stock, the bank is looking to more than double its size over the next five years.

Regulators are trying to shut down Mission Settlement Agency in New York and Premier Consultant Group in New Jersey, alleging they charged millions of dollars in unnecessary fees.

Residential Capital, the bankrupt mortgage company, won more time to file an exclusive plan to reorganize while it attempts to settle a dispute between creditors and parent Ally Financial.

The Federal Reserve Board has terminated an enforcement action against Greer Bancshares in Greer, S.C.

Big banks have been among the most vocal supporters of gay rights in the workplace. Many LGBT bankers laud the progress but say diversity efforts still sometimes fall short.