The Federal Reserve Board reached written agreements with five community banks Thursday.

Recently released terms of the Small Business Lending Fund are fueling fears that may discourage participation in the program.

CapitalSource Inc. may not be drowning, but that isn't stopping the Chevy Chase, Md., finance company from looking for help.

Rozanne Andersen, formerly CEO at ACA International, has joined Minnesota-based law firm Morrison Fenske & Sund to lead the firm's national compliance and reputation management practice for the accounts receivable management industry.

Credit Karma announced Thursday it is offering consumers two additional credit scores for free through its Web site, CreditKarma.com.

U.S. consumers and businesses likely increased spending in November, a possible sign that the economy began gaining strength at the end of last year, according to recent forecasts from economists.

CapitalSource, a commercial lender to small and medium-sized businesses with a market value of $2.4 billion, has hired a financial adviser to explore a potential sale.

Carolina Trust Bank in Lincolnton, N.C., raised $6.3 million after selling 2.1 million shares of common stock.

First Commonwealth Financial Corp. in Indiana, Pa., has named a company insider to become its chief risk officer.

Capitol Bancorp Ltd., which has headquarters in Lansing, Mich., and Phoenix, has commenced an exchange offer to holders of its trust-preferred securities.

A land deal in Iowa City, involving the city and a credit union is the focus of a legal battle.

BankFirst of Winter Park, Fla., has agreed to acquire Commercial Bancorp Inc. of nearby Ormond Beach.

Webster Financial Corp. in Waterbury, Conn., said it had given more responsibilities to its chief financial officer, Gerald Plush.

United Bankshares Inc. in Charleston, W.Va., said it expects a $15 million insurance claim payment to help lift its fourth-quarter earnings.

Rarely is bankruptcy court a welcome detour, but more struggling banks may take it to overcome debtholders blocking their recapitalization efforts.

Today most of the people working in financial services are "good bankers." But public opinion and media coverage of the worst of our industry has reflected on everyone.

Technology doesn't slant the playing field. It levels it. In our industry, technology and pricing are actually the simplest things to copy. Over time, they do not differentiate.

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Several companies kicked off 2011 by completing acquisitions.

Independent Bank of Austin said Tuesday that it has changed its legal name to I Bank Texas. The $156.8 million-asset company, which is based in Lakeway, was created in 2005. A website was also developed to reflect the new name.