Americas

Wayne Griest, Continental's chief executive, once worked with Bryn Mawr's CEO at another institution. That familiarity came in handy as the two banks began discussing the potential of a merger.

The New York company has emerged from a regulatory order with a stated goal of branching out from a longtime focus on commercial real estate by adding specialty-lending lines. Now management is looking to leverage a huge cash buffer and strong deposit base.

Thanks to redevelopment efforts in the once-neglected downtown areas of Buffalo, Detroit and other cities, banks are seeing improvements to their bottom lines. Banks and developers credit a federal historic tax credit program for the results.

Organic loan growth propelled the Internet banking company BofI Holding (BOFI) to record profits in the quarter that ended March 31.

WASHINGTON — The Senate Banking Committee continued negotiations over the weekend on landmark legislation to overhaul the mortgage finance system, but it remains unclear when, or if, panel leaders will reschedule a key vote on the bill.

UMB Financial (UMBF) in Kansas City, Mo., has agreed to buy the corporate trust business of RCB Bank in Claremore, Okla.

First Mid-Illinois Bancshares (FMBH) in Mattoon, Ill., has received approval from the Nasdaq Stock Market to list its common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market.

Green Bancorp in Houston has agreed to buy SP Bancorp (SPBC) in Plano, Texas.

First American Bank in Elk Grove Village, Ill., has agreed to buy Bank of Coral Gables in Florida.

Union Bank has entered into a strategic alliance with Lending Club, a peer-to peer lending marketplace provider that connects creditworthy borrowers with investors.