About a fifth of regional banks look at their efficiency ratios as they set executive compensation. Ongoing revenue challenges and investor pressure could push more boards to consider efficiency — or simple cost-cutting — to determine pay for high-level officers.

Tidelands Bancshares in Mount Pleasant, S.C., has been declared in default on $18.3 million of trust-preferred securities.

Ginnie Mae needs more, and better-paid, staff to keep up with growing risks on nonbank seller/servicers, the watchdog agency head said.

Midwest BankCentre in Lemay, Mo., has agreed to buy Bremen Bank & Trust in Hazelwood, Mo.

Old National Bancorp in Evansville, Ind., has given its chief executive Bob Jones the added title of chairman.

Three-fourths of House lawmakers signed a bipartisan letter that calls on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to take more steps to carve out community banks and credit unions from onerous regulations. But will it make a difference?

BB&T in Winston-Salem, N.C., has increased the roles of two executives as part of an effort to focus more on digital projects.

FSB Community Bankshares in Fairport, N.Y., plans to convert from partial mutual ownership to a fully stock-owned bank.

The $9.6 billion-asset bank claims that applications for the loans can be completed in two minutes or less, or in three minutes for loans that require a Small Business Administration guarantee.

Standard Bank & Trust in Hickory Hills, Ill., has hired an investment bank to explore a possible sale, according to Crain's Chicago Business.

Two executives and two directors have resigned from Community Bank of the Bay in Oakland, Calif.

Republicans currently hold a 54 — 46 advantage over Democrats in the Senate, making the GOP grip on the Senate precarious at best. With the election a little less than eight months away, Republicans also have more vulnerable seats up for reelection, leaving many analysts speculating the Democrats will retake the chamber. Following are the races bankers need to watch.

Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, which spent three years righting the ship, is ready to poach bankers and clients who might be upset with recent consolidation in Royal's home state. While it could look at deals, Royal is primarily hoping to steal market share with a private-banking model, loan production offices and technology upgrades.

We are reminded frequently that policies with the best intentions often do not reach their intended recipients and at times lead to previously unforeseen issues.

First Community Financial Partners in Joliet, Ill., has agreed to buy First Mazon Bancorp in Mazon, Ill.

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions closed the $67.1 million-asset North Milwaukee State Bank on Friday.

First Interstate BancSystem in Billings, Mont., has tapped a KeyCorp executive as its new chief credit officer.

C1 Financial in Tampa, Fla., was unable to seize an opportunity to bring in more money for its sale to Bank of the Ozarks in Little Rock, Ark.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp in Massachusetts invested in technology to beef up its small-business lending, an area ripe for the picking by alternative lenders.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is exploring ways to use $40 million it received as part of a private-label securities settlement to support small-business development and job creation to help future homebuyers.