Like New Orleans next door, Omni Bank in Metarie, La., is undergoing a reincarnation of sorts. The $750 million-asset bank has hired new management and is shifting its focus from residential loans to commercial and industrial. Plus, plans are being made to bulk up through acquisitions.

Though its Florida bank unit continued to struggle, Park National in Newark, Ohio, earned $19.9M in the 2Q, a 9.2% increase from a year earlier.

Attorneys general in Ohio and West Virginia yesterday filed separate lawsuits against National Enterprise Systems Inc. (NES), a Solon, Ohio-based collection agency, for allegedly using collection methods that violate state and federal laws.

Though its Florida bank unit continued to struggle, Park National in Newark, Ohio, earned $19.9M in the second quarter, a 9.2% increase from a year earlier.

As it prepares to report an anomalous quarterly loss, West Bancorp. Inc. in West Des Moines is searching for a new chief executive officer.

East West Bancorp Inc. in Pasadena, Calif., which has raised $168.9 million of common equity in the past several weeks, is trying to bring in more.

S&T Bancorp Inc. in Indiana, Pa., said Monday that it swung to a $10.2 million loss in the second quarter, from a $13.9 million profit a year earlier, mostly because chargeoffs spiked to $34.6 million, or 3.91% of average loans.

Meridian Interstate Bancorp in Boston said Monday it has agreed to acquire the struggling Mt. Washington Co-operative Bank in South Boston.

First Niagara Financial Group Inc. in Lockport, N.Y., said Friday that its second-quarter profit slipped 10% from a year earlier, to $20.8 million.

First Business Bank of San Diego has agreed to buy 1st Pacific Bancorp of San Diego for about $7 million and whatever is later recovered from charged-off loans and a lawsuit.

Two Southern California banks — totaling over $3 billion in assets — succumbed to construction loan losses Friday evening, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. endured another busy night.

Interpreting Webster Financial Corp.'s second quarter is about as messy as the results.

People's United Financial Inc. of Bridgeport, Conn., said Friday that it may use capital for takeover bids to help it expand in the Northeast.

TULSA, Okla. – Hundreds of residents joined officials of Tulsa Teachers CU to unveil its new branch in nearby Bixby–and the chance to win $500.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Meridian Trust FCU broke ground last week on an 8,000-square-foot administration building, which will be connected to the credit union's existing branch at the site.

Umpqua Holdings Corp. posted a surprise second-quarter profit even as loan-loss provisions and nonperforming loans rose, while it continues to wind down its residential construction loan portfolio.

NEW ENGLAND

The wounded Capitol Bancorp Ltd. is continuing its bank sell-off.

The industry consensus is that investors care more about capital and credit than wide earnings misses for the second quarter, and East West Bancorp Inc. in Pasadena, Calif., is a case in point.