Americas

Northwest Bancshares (NWBI) in Warren, Pa., posted higher second-quarter earnings after delinquent and nonaccrual loans fell to their lowest levels in four years.

Strong gains in fee income combined with improved asset quality powered West Coast Bancorp in Lake Oswego, Wash., to a $6 million profit in the second quarter, up 30% from the same period in 2010.

Lower noninterest expenses and a declining provision for credit losses led Bank of Hawaii (BOH) in Honolulu to second-quarter net income of $40.7 million, up almost 16% from a year earlier.

Anchor Bancorp (ANCB) in Lacey, Wash., will increase its fiscal-year fourth-quarter loan-loss provision by $1.1 million, leading to an expected loss for the period.

The rapidly expanding First Republic Bank (FRC) will open a branch in the wealthy south Florida enclave of Palm Beach, its first office in the Sunshine State.

Associated Banc-Corp (ASBC) in Green Bay, Wis., reported its highest quarterly profit since early 2008 as commercial and business lending surged.

The $70.8 million deal would add 13 branches and $550 million of deposits in the growing Pittsburgh market.

Virginia Commerce Bancorp (VCBI) is delaying its planned exit from the Troubled Asset Relief Program following discussions with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond regarding its repayment plan.

The Federal Reserve Board has put the kibosh on Virginia Commerce Bancorp's plan to start paying back the Treasury Department this summer.

Porter Bancorp (PBIB) of Louisville, Ky., did not have to look far to find the new leader for its struggling bank.