It's not easy to survive as a single-branch community bank anymore. That's the view of John Essen, president of Community Savings Bank in Bethel, Ohio, which agreed this week to merge with Home Building and Loan Co., a savings and loan in Greenfield, Ohio.

Community banks consider customer service their big advantage against larger competitors. But that strategy may not be working.

Bank of America has sold more than 230 branches with $7.5 billion in deposits in the last two years. Here is a list of the nine banks that have bought the bulk of those locations.

National Penn Bancshares (NPBC) in Allentown, Pa., has agreed to buy TF Financial (THRD) in Newtown, Pa. The $8.6 billion-asset National Penn will pay $138 million in cash and stock for the $846 million-asset TF Financial.

Old National Bancorp (ONB) in Evansville, Ind., has agreed to buy LSB Financial (LSBI) in Lafayette, Ind. The $9.6 billion-asset Old National will pay about $67 million, or $41.67 a share, in cash and stock for the $366 million-asset LSB.

Most banks say they listen to the customer, but Jim Simpson at City Bank Texas directly studies comments made in call centers and branches for clues to the next mobile banking app features.

Independent Bank Group (IBTX) in McKinney, Texas, plans to file a shelf registration that would allow it to sell up to $250 million in debt and equity securities.

Californians picked Republican Neel Kashkari, a political newcomer who ran the federal bailout of the U.S. banking system, to challenge incumbent Democrat Jerry Brown for governor in November.

They look great on paper, but mergers of equals are always difficult to integrate due to cultural issues. United Financial in Glastonbury, Conn., is learning that lesson with Jeff Sullivan's departure less than six weeks after the company's merger with Rockville Financial.

Capital One's decision to ditch coin-counting machines from its Washington-area branches is either a brilliant move to save money, or is a surefire way to anger customers who like the convenience of using the machines. It has stimulated surprising debate in an electronic age, but it's all about attempts to redefine the bank branch.

Astoria Financial has shifted its attention away from residential mortgages to becoming a full-service bank that offers business banking and commercial real estate loans.

Bank of the Carolinas (BCAR) in Mocksville, N.C., has significantly increased its number of authorized shares at it looks to meet capital requirements tied to a regulatory order.

CU Bancorp (CUNB) in Encino, Calif., has agreed to buy 1st Enterprise Bank (FENB) in Los Angeles.

E-commerce and payments companies are edging into the small-business lending territory long dominated by banks. If banks want to stay relevant, they need a simpler, speedier lending process.

Independent Bank Group (IBTX) in McKinney, Texas, has agreed to buy Houston City Bancshares.

First BanCorp (FBP) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has resolved a large outstanding loan to Doral Financial (DRL) by taking on $242 million on mortgages that were used as collateral for the loan.

Peter Setaro, the chief information officer for First National Bank of the Gulf Coast, is stocking branches with free wifi and Kindles for customers to use.

Central Pacific Financial (CPF) in Honolulu has appointed Raymond Wilson as its chief risk officer.

A key member of United Financial Bancorp's management team has departed a month after the company's merger with Rockville Financial.