Banking

Bay Commercial Bank (BCML) in Walnut Creek, Calif., has agreed to buy Bank On It Inc. (BKOT) in Stockton, Calif.

Community Trust Bancorp (CTBI) in Pikeville, Ky., posted lower profit in the fourth quarter as sanctions tied to a Federal Reserve Board investigation took a bite out of earnings.

Digital currency startup Circle Internet Financial has expanded its high-profile lineup of leaders, appointing a Goldman Sachs director to its board of directors and naming veterans from American Express and Google to its advisory board.

If the recent holiday shopping season is any indication, consumers may be setting aside their caution with credit card spending and are back to consuming through debt.

Westamerica Bancorp (WABC) of San Rafael, Calif., posted net income of $16.1 million for the fourth quarter, a 16.1% decrease from a year earlier.

Chain Bridge Bancorp in McLean, Va., has hired a former Wells Fargo (WFC) banker as its bank's president.

A tour of PayPal's innovation showroom offers a glimpse of the company's latest technology, how PayPal is tying together e-commerce channels, and how it intends to dominate the mobile wallet the way it has online payments.

Bank Mutual (BKMU) in Brown Deer, Wis., reported higher earnings due mostly to improved credit quality.

Citigroup Inc. (C), the third-largest U.S. lender, agreed to sell servicing rights for about 64,000 Fannie Mae residential first-mortgage loans as it seeks to reduce a portfolio of unwanted assets.

Simmons First National (SFNC) in Pine Bluff, Ark., plans to close 27 branches, according to regulatory filings.

The number of U.S. properties saddled with foreclosures last year dropped 26 percent from 2012, according to RealtyTrac, an online real estate firm.

First Republic Bank (FRC) in San Francisco posted slightly higher earnings in the fourth quarter thanks to higher revenue from loans and improved credit quality.

The Treasury Department plans to sell $3 billion of Ally Financial Inc. common stock, reducing taxpayers' stake in the firm to 37 percent.

Some of the nation's largest merchants are rolling out branded cards that offer many of the banking services their tens of millions of customers crave — plus loyalty rewards. For banks, the cards may pose a new threat, as well the opportunity to partner and reach new segments of the population.

I would feel better about banking at a place that took an active role in educating the public on the financial system. I would also appreciate a complete breakdown on any puzzling paperwork, confusing mathematics or common mistakes when I sign up for an account.

PrivateBancorp (PVTB) in Chicago posted higher quarterly earnings because of improved credit quality and lower expenses.

Citi and Barclaycard US will both have a seat at the table after American Airlines and US Airways combine their frequent flier programs and affinity credit cards, but the issuers will have somewhat different roles.

MB Financial (MBFI) in Chicago reported a minor dip in quarterly earnings as net interest income fell.

Flagstar Bancorp (FBC) in Troy, Mich., announced Thursday it is laying off approximately 600 employees as part of a cost cutting measure.

Soo Bong Min, the president and chief executive of BBCN Bank in Los Angeles, has stepped down after less than a year on the job.