Many people in Florida were sure that M&A would pass over the Sunshine State for years after the financial crisis. But a recent influx of deals suggests that Florida hasn't lost its luster.

A new Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. report says agricultural lending by banks in areas with a declining customer base gave those institutions an advantage in weathering the downturn.

Missouri is the best state for banking conditions and Nevada is the worst, according to a new survey.

TS Banking Group in Treynor, Iowa, has agreed to buy Tioga Bank Holding Co. in Tioga, N.D.

CertusBank fired its founders for providing inaccurate budgets and for failing to devise a strategy after its failed-bank deals dried up, the Greenville, S.C., company said in court filings.

Highlands Bancorp (HSBK) in Vernon, N.J., has raised $5 million by placing subordinated debt.

Solera National Bancorp (SLRK) in Lakewood, Colo., has one less activist investor to worry about. The $168 million-asset company disclosed late Friday that Kathleen Stout, a former company executive, has withdrawn her nomination of eight director candidates.

Malvern Bancorp (MLVF) in Paoli, Pa., is facing activist pressure to sell itself.

Illinois state regulators closed the $66.3 million-asset AztecAmerica Bank in Berwyn on Friday.

Sandy Spring Bancorp (SASR) in Olney, Md., said its second-quarter earnings will be reduced after a Maryland jury awarded a $6.05 million verdict in a case involving a former employee.

The $1.7 billion-asset Carlile — founded in 2009 to acquire banks in Texas and elsewhere — has agreed to buy Community Bankers Inc., Carlile President Don Cosby said Friday.

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Subpoenas have been issued by South Carolina's Attorney General's Office in connection to allegations of financial mismanagement by former executives of CertusBank.

HCBF Holding in Fort Pierce, Fla., has agreed to buy Highlands Independent Bancshares in Sebring, Fla.

Multibank holding companies that have long resisted consolidating their banks are finally giving in. The switch can offer a range of advantages beyond improved efficiency, but choosing the right moment for a consolidation — and making sure not to spook customers — can be tricky.

Community & Southern Holdings in Atlanta has agreed to buy Alliance Bancshares in Dalton, Ga.

A recent oil and gas boom in Texas that has captivated banks' attention is also drawing the eye of regulators as they become concerned how far institutions will go to win loans and hire specialists within the energy industry.

ANB Bank in Denver has agreed to buy Capital West Bank in Laramie, Wyo.

Cullen/Frost Bankers (CFR) in San Antonio has agreed to refrain from announcing more acquisitions until it improves its compliance programs.

The $769 million-asset bank said in a press release that Joseph DeVito had become its president and chief executive. DeVito succeeded Kenneth Brennan, who will become Village Bank's chairman.