Americas

PacWest Bancorp in Los Angeles is attempting a hostile takeover just days after unseating Umpqua Holdings to buy American Perspective Bank. Industry observers say the company's newfound buying aggression might make it a better seller someday and give its PE investors a tidy exit.

First National Corporation in Strasburg, Va., is planning to raise up to $11.8 million in a rights offering and intends to use the proceeds to bolster its capital levels, invest in its expansion and perhaps buy back preferred shares issued under the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Enterprise Financial Services (EFSC) in St. Louis is aiming to repay at least part of the $35 million it received from the Troubled Asset Relief Program by the end of this year.

Hilltop Holdings announced Wednesday that it is buying PlainsCapital of Dallas for roughly $520 million in cash and stock.

PacWest Bancorp (PACW) in Los Angeles is dead serious about expanding its California footprint through acquisitions.

The bank, led by ex-Sovereign chief Jay Sidhu, cited uncertain market conditions.

Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) is streamlining its number of checking and savings products in an effort to win a larger share of customers' wallets.

EverBank Financial (EVER) in Jacksonville, Fla., has launched a new wealth management unit that will target affluent households nationwide.

First Bank of Delaware is set to shut down by the end of the year, the result of a wide-ranging consent order issued that alleged weaknesses in the bank's monitoring of relationships in its e-payment and money services business lines, and poor compliance efforts.

Triumph Bancshares of Germantown, Tenn., has sold 1.35 million shares to investors, raising roughly $12.2 million in fresh funds to help grow its bank.