The Mississippi bank would take a big hit to capital and income but avoid the risk of a bigger payout from a guilty verdict in litigation against banks that did business with Allen Stanford's disgraced financial empire.

In this month's roundup of American Banker's favorite stories: a deep-dive into how 2022 accelerated the decline of overdraft fees, Zelle's plan for addressing fraudulent transactions, the National Credit Union Administration opens the doors for fintech and credit union partnerships for lending and more.

Every issue of the magazine provides great features, opinion pieces and more about the issues keeping industry leaders up at night. Here is a look at some of the most exemplary coverage from the past 12 months.

Northeast Bank in Portland is putting capital earned from the Paycheck Protection Program to use, purchasing $1.1 billion of loans and launching a small-dollar Small Business Administration lending program.

Lenders are bracing for possible setbacks in small business, office and hospitality lending. Consumer credit challenges may follow.

The New Canaan Bank would have been the state's first de novo in more than a decade.

The Amesbury-based bank reported solid growth and profitability throughout Dave Mansfield's 9-year tenure. The decision followed news of losses tied to the bank's move into digital-asset lending, though the bank has yet to file a 10-Q for the third quarter.

Despite a slow year overall, banks announced several substantial merger and acquisitions in 2022.

The $23 million deal, announced more than a year ago, was terminated following regulatory delays.

The bank hired Thomas Geisel to take over as president and chief executive, effective immediately. He succeeds Harry Madonna, who had been interim leader after the ouster of Vernon Hill.

The state's Department of Financial Services issued proposed guidelines on how banks and mortgage lenders should manage climate-related risks. But the guidance was quickly slammed by a trade group representing community banks.

A handful of banks and credit unions with assets under $3 billion each rolled out or expanded its use of distinctive technologies, including a contactless-payment ring.

Robert Fehlman, who has worked with the bank since 1988, will succeed George Makris Jr. at the start of 2023.

Dicier credit conditions, recession fears and tougher regulatory scrutiny combined to weaken merger activity in 2022. A push for scale is bound to resume when interest rates level off — at least among smaller banks, analysts say.

A group of shareholders in the Dubuque, -Iowa-based bank, including a former chairman and CEO, have agreed to quit advocating for a sale of the $19.7 billion-asset company

In a new survey, executives at banks and credit unions registered the highest level of anxiety about a forthcoming data-collection rule in small-business lending.

The Korean American bank's leader talks about her expansion plans, what she learned from former bosses and how Koreatown, and the community, is changing.

The banks advertised the transaction as a merger of equals, but Shore shareholders would own 60% of the company.

The acquisition of Malvern Bancorp in Pennsylvania would provide added heft in suburban Philadelphia markets. It is easily First Bank's largest-ever M&A deal.

Remote deposit capabilities have vastly improved banking services for residents of villages in western Alaska. But unreliable service means some face difficulties when trying to access their banking apps or make payments.