Retail & Commercial

It is unclear if the wave of state actions signals a burgeoning state scrutiny of consumer finance companies or if state enforcers will only employ this new approach on occasion.

Federal regulators formally issued a final risk retention rule for mortgage securitizations, a long-awaited and hotly debated measure that is nevertheless expected to have little market impact when it takes effect a year from now.

Investors who backed Broadway Financial's 2013 recapitalization are cashing out.

On at least three occasions, Michael Daly flexed his bargaining muscles in discussions with Hampden Bancorp. His tenacity led to a privately negotiated deal, a reduced exchange ratio and an amended employment agreement with Hampden's chief lending officer.

A judge has named Deerwood Bank winner of the bankruptcy auction for American Bank of St. Paul, in the first test of involuntary bankruptcy as a means of resolving trust-preferred debt.

The bank is piloting one conduit for jumbo mortgages and another for Ginnie Mae-eligible loans.

The 3%-down payment mortgage has been made available to consumers with a speed rarely seen in this business, in large part because more lenders than ever are selling loans directly to Fannie and Freddie.

John Poelker joined a bank in crisis when he agreed to lead Certus in April. His efforts to turn around a crisis-riddled South Carolina company make him one of American Banker's 2015 community bankers to watch.

Andrew Samuel left Susquehanna Bancshares, where he was in line to become CEO, to run the tiny Sunshine Bancorp in Florida. While Susquehanna recently agreed to sell itself to BB&T, Samuel has been working furiously to hire and expand at his new employer.

Mutual conversions soared this year as mutual thrift executives sought to raise capital at the behest of investment bankers and others. With many of the biggest mutuals having converted this year, there may be a drop-off in conversions in 2015.