Encore Bancshares Inc. in Houston is paying to get out of Florida. The $1.6 billion-asset company announced an agreement last week to sell its six Florida branches, with $231 million in deposits and $86.2 million in loans, in two deals that will cost the company $1 million.

Lawsuits filed in federal courts involving collection and credit issues surged in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30 as more Americans struggled with foreclosures and consumer debt.

LAKE JACKSON, Texas – Texas Dow Employees CU said it plans to open a new branch in nearby Pearland in May, the $1.5 billion credit union’s 21st service center.

MIAMI – A new branch of South Florida Educational FCU is among the first building projects that are part of the Franjo Triangle development designed to create an improved downtown area in the Village of Palmetto Bay.

Roma Financial Corp. in Robbinsville, N.J., announced Thursday that it has agreed to acquire the struggling Sterling Banks Inc. of Mount Laurel, N.J., for $14.7 million in cash, or $2.52 per share.

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Britton & Koontz Capital Corp. of Natchez, Miss., has revised its fourth-quarter results to reflect a loss instead of a gain.

Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania Inc. reported on Thursday a fourth-quarter loss of $10.1 million and that it is has entered into a written agreement with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

Sandy Spring Bancorp in Olney, Md., on Thursday announced pricing for a common stock offering expected to raise at least $87.7 million.

The $667 million-asset bank, in danger of failing with more than 10% of its assets not performing, was under orders from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to more than double its leverage ratio by early February and then take it up another notch by March 8. But the agency gave the Korean-focused subsidiary of Saehan Bancorp more time, and after several false starts, the bank raised $60.5 million.

A promoter of credit repair and debt relief services agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that he deceived consumers into paying thousands of dollars based on false promises that he could help fix their credit and debt problems. The $2.5 million settlement will be suspended because of the defendant's inability to pay.

Comptroller of the Currency John Dugan offered a gloomy view of the industry's health and said Wednesday that regulators will not hesitate to crack down on troubled lenders.

WOODLAND, Calif. – Yolo FCU yesterday said it bought property in downtown Davis, Calif., where it plans to build a new full-service branch.

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – Service CU said is opening another Wal-Mart branch, this one in Hudson, one of seven in-store Wal-Mart service centers.

CHAMBERSBURG, Penn. – Patriot FCU has opened a new, larger branch in nearby Hagerstown, representing the credit union’s growing expansion into northern Maryland.

ShoreBank Corp. in Chicago announced Wednesday that veteran Chicago banker David Vitale is set to become its executive chairman should it raise the capital it needs.

With four of the Pacific Northwest's larger community players warning that they may not survive, the region is solidifying its reputation as a hub for problem banks and failures.

MIDWEST

James D. MacPhee, who will become chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America this week, has the right pedigree for the job at the right time.

Lawsuits filed in U.S. federal courts involving collection and credit issues surged in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30 compared with the previous year - a jump linked to Americans struggling with foreclosures and consumer debts.