First Merchants in Muncie, Ind., has agreed to buy Community Bancshares in Noblesville, Ind.

Wilshire Bancorp (WIBC) in Los Angeles reported an increase in quarterly profit tied largely to recent acquisitions.

Fueled by strong growth in commercial real estate and specialty lending, Signature Bank in New York reported another record profit for the quarter that ended June 30.

Synovus Financial in Columbus, Ga., reported a rise in quarterly earnings after booking more loans and lowering credit costs.

Astoria Financial in Lake Success, N.Y., has agreed to sell certain nonperforming loans to Credit Suisse at a nearly $9 million loss.

CIT Group, the commercial lender led by John A. Thain, agreed to buy OneWest Bank parent IMB Holdco for $3.4 billion, attaching a regional bank to a national loan platform in an effort to boost profit.

BancorpSouth has delayed the closing of two bank acquisitions after regulators took issue with the Tupelo, Miss., company's compliance programs.

Washington Trust in Westerly, R.I., rode gains in its lending portfolio and lower operating expenses to a higher second-quarter profit.

Arrow Financial (AROW) in Glens Falls, N.Y., posted higher quarterly earnings because of loan growth and an improved net interest margin.

Central Federal in Worthington, Ohio, raised roughly $12 million from a private placement of preferred stock.

Northwest Bancshares in Warren, Pa., saw its second-quarter profit decline due to the deterioration of its commercial loan portfolio and elevated expenses.

Recent calls in Congress to take a closer look at the quasi-governmental Farm Credit System and its regulator have pleased bankers, who want to bring attention to their complaints of unfair competition.

Peoples Bancorp (PEBK) in Newton, N.C., reported higher earnings in the second quarter than a year earlier thanks to a stronger loan portfolio.

Hampton Roads Bankshares has hired four lenders from Northwest Savings Bank in Baltimore to run its new commercial lending office there.

Regulators on Friday closed Eastside Commercial Bank in Conyers, Ga., the 13th institution to fail this year.

Mackinac Financial (MFNC) in Manistique, Mich., has agreed to buy Peninsula Financial in Ishpeming, Mich.

NewBridge Bancorp (NBBC) in Greensboro, N.C., has hired six commercial bankers to run its new middle-market banking group.

Regulators have ordered Fulton Financial (FULT) in Lancaster, Pa., to strengthen its Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering controls.

Consumer confidence is improving but uncertainty surrounding world events and gridlock in Washington continue to temper expectations for Stephen Steinour.

Solera National Bancorp (SLRK) continues to go through management changes less than a month after an activist took over the Lakewood, Colo., company's board.