Banks are adding more stock to their top employees' compensation packages, according to executive recruiter Rod Taylor. That can help some bankers reap bigger payouts if they work for a company that is likely to get sold, although for some bankers, "cash is still king," Taylor says.

Banker compensation trends were mixed last year, particularly among the nation's largest institutions. Average CEO compensation at the nation's four largest banks rose 10% in 2013, compared to a year earlier, based on data from governance watchdog GMI Ratings. However, CEO compensation fell 16%, on average, at other banks with assets of at least $50 billion.

Citizens Bank of Edmond, a $252 million-asset bank led by Jill Castilla, is eager to show that a lack of size shouldn't hold a bank back from doing things differently. The bank is embracing new ATM technology and active use of social media.

Median pay for CEOs at banks with less than $20 billion of assets typically pales in comparison with the executive compensation at larger institutions. Still, some CEOs at smaller banks are richly rewarded. Figures, provided by GMI Ratings and SNL Financial, are for 2013.

Executive pay packages have long been structured to reflect performance. But one key task that often gets short shrift from bank directors and CEOs is succession planning. Now pressure is mounting for that to change.

HV Bancorp in Huntingdon Valley, Pa., has filed to sell more than $13 million in stock as part of its planned conversion to a stock company.

Progreso CEO Raul Vazquez discusses the firm's strategic plans and speaks out for the first time about the Hispanic lender's connections to retail giant Wal-Mart.

Doral, under pressure from the FDIC to boost capital or sell assets, is demanding a refund from the territory tied to certain receivables. The capital issue prompted to downgrades from several ratings agencies.

Bank boards are busier than ever, but that's no excuse for putting succession planning on the back burner, say consultants Peter Thies and Ollie Sommer.

Five Star Credit Union in Dothan, Ala., has received approval from the Alabama Credit Union Administration to buy Flint River National Bank in Camilla, Ga.

SVB Financial (SIVB) in Santa Clara, Calif., has filed to sell nearly 4.5 million shares of common stock.

Central Pacific Financial (CPF) in Honolulu is moving several top executives into new posts.

The Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. (AGM) reported a decline in first-quarter profits driven largely by the early refinancing of agricultural securities.

Between Operation Choke Point and anti-laundering regulations, financial institutions are going to new lengths to avoid anything even remotely associated with illegality — raising questions of fairness, slippery slopes and self-preservation.

Westbury Bancorp (WBB) in West Bend, Wis., intends to repurchase up to 250,000 of its issued and outstanding shares, or roughly 4.9% of its stock.

The investment bank has moved its annual banking conference to Denver after 16 years in Seattle, signaling its desire to do more bank deals in the central U.S. where M&A activity is expected to get busier.

Republic Bancorp (RBCCA) of Louisville, Ky., announced Monday the merger of two of its subsidiaries: Republic Bank, a federally chartered savings association, and Republic Bank & Trust Co., a state-chartered commercial bank.

Banc of California (BANC) in Irvine, Calif., swung to a loss in the first quarter as expenses ballooned following its acquisition of the Private Bank of California

Prepaid cards are an appealing market for small banks that want to retain and recruit customers, though bankers must consider potential regulatory and competitive risks before jumping into the business.

A recap of the informed opinions (and the discussions they generated) on BankThink this week.