Banking

S&T Bank in Indiana, Pa., has expanded its commercial loan business into northeast Ohio by opening an office in Akron.

The Paramus, N.J., thrift decided to sell itself to M&T for a relatively low price rather than keep trying to overcome its reliance on low interest rates. That was bad news for the countless small banks attempting similar reboots.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has issued an enforcement order against Citizens First National Bank that requires the Princeton, Ill., bank to become adequately capitalized or sell itself.

Most of the program's participants are increasing business loans, though some are having to reduce lending rates to book the best loans.

Existing customers are generally praising Square's new flat monthly fee for processing card transactions, but Square's challenge will be winning over business owners who are on the fence about its services.

Compliance software providers are pivoting off this summer's Libor crisis to sell products intended to help banks change controls, communicate policies to staff and ensure adherence to internal rules.

The regulatory risk from Basel III, Dodd-Frank and other pressures will keep banks from growing, and the economy can't grow, if banks don't.

Prospects for the Visa/MasterCard antitrust settlement received another jolt last week when the Retail Industry Leaders Association weighed in against the terms, joining other influential opponents of the landmark deal.

The consumer agency announced a series of changes in the wake of a key defection.

Jacksonville Bancorp (JAXB) plans to raise up to $50 million by selling securities to a group of investors led by the Florida company's biggest shareholder.

Ventura County Credit will use the company's per-closed-loan pricing model.

In building its homegrown app for small businesses, the Chicago unit of the San Juan bank focused on letting business owners control who can do what on a mobile device.

Offer each retail customer the best terms for which he qualifies—and not just for mortgages. Don't count on a second chance to bargain or risk the legal and reputational consequences of offering less than your best.

Independent Bank in Rockland, Mass., has filed a shelf registration to raise up to $125 million.

Tight budgets and industry upheaval have bankers and their lobbyists planning to keep low profiles in Tampa and Charlotte.

First National Community Bancorp in Dunmore, Pa., reported a bigger loss for the first six months of the year compared with 2011 largely because of lower noninterest income.

Buyer of Merrill Lynch's non-U.S. wealth management operations suffered a loss of customer data that has been passed on to authorities.

Community banks should exploit their advantages based on convenience, personal service, local decision making and a relationship model reliant on deep customer knowledge.

The rumor mill is catching fire as Apple nears its next product launch. Changes to the iPhone, iPad and other systems could affect initiatives at many payments companies.

Small business owners in Europe certainly won't have a shortage of mobile payment options to choose from, as more companies enter the market locally and from the U.S.