Capital

Three years after guiding the Baltimore bank through bankruptcy, the group that recapitalized it found a similar institution eager to form a new partnership.

The Baltimore bank, which was on the brink of failure before a group recapitalized it, is selling itself to Howard Bancorp.

Like many banks its size, CenterState in Florida may need to venture out of state to find a big enough acquisition to make additional compliance costs worthwhile.

The Florida company will pay nearly $600 million to buy HCBF Holding and Sunshine Bancorp.

Triumph Bancorp in Dallas has successfully taken chances on out-of-state acquisitions, factoring and other nontraditional strategies that many of its peers have avoided.

The Texas company agreed to buy Liberty Bancshares on the same day it completed its purchase of the $1 billion-asset Sovereign Bancshares.

The ranks of mutually owned banks are in decline. Survivors say sharper marketing, better access to capital and lower barriers to entry could stop the bleeding.

The company will pay $51 million for Bank of Napa, adding two branches and nearly $250 million in assets.

Rising taxes, declining population and the political landscape in Illinois have led several bankers to put more money and resources into nearby states.

The company agreed to buy County First Bank in a cash-and-stock transaction.