Banks issued at least $12.3 billion in subordinated debt last year, far more than what they issued in any year since the financial crisis. A big factor is investor demand, which has been stimulated by a need for higher-yielding holdings.

United Bankshares' (UBSI) earnings increased during the first quarter, with support from the completion of its Virginia Commerce Bancorp acquisition and sale of one of its own branches.

EverBank Financial (EVER) in Jacksonville, Fla., said that first-quarter earnings fell 18% from a year earlier, to $32 million. Earnings per share of 23 cents beat the average estimate of analysts polled by Bloomberg by 2 cents.

A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers is pushing the Obama administration to nominate someone with community banking experience to the Federal Reserve Board.

In a highly unusual initiative, small community bank Independence Bancshares has been building a real-time transactions processing system. CEO Gordon Baird hopes to attract others to use it, too.

State Bank Financial (STBZ) in Atlanta swung to a profit in the first quarter, as it benefited from improved figures on its covered-loan portfolio.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. claims that reports of the impending death of community banks are greatly exaggerated. Historical data tells a different story.

New York Community Bancorp (NYCB) in Westbury reported lower quarterly earnings as mortgage-related income plummeted.

Banks looking to build productive, lean-staffed branches should ensure that their work culture rewards positive employee attitudes.

First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) in Cincinnati has agreed to buy Guernsey Bancorp in Worthington, Ohio.

The company had been looking for a deal for a few years and finally found one in OmniAmerican, a former credit union that converted to a stock-owned company in 2010.

John Poelker, who recently met with key investors, is using YouTube to appeal to clients who might have been spooked by executive ousters and reports of widespread financial excess at the Greenville, S.C., company.

BBVA Compass has leased space in the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce building for a loan production office.

City Holding (CHCO) in Charleston, W.Va., said Tuesday that it its first-quarter earnings rose 73% from the same period last year, to $13.8 million, as the company accelerated workouts of problem loans it inherited in two acquisitions.

Noninterest income seemed to stabilize some during the first quarter, though smaller banks are still struggling to see meaningful increases in fees.

Operation Choke Point, changing marijuana laws and increased anti-money laundering scrutiny are just a few of the governmental and regulatory factors affecting banks' relationships with certain customers these days. Now financial companies are under intense scrutiny over the payday lenders, check cashers, marijuana businesses and even individual customers that they do business with. American Banker editors discuss.

Hudson City Bancorp (HCBK) in Paramus, N.J., reported lower quarterly earnings as its planned sale to M&T Bank (MTB) still awaits regulatory approval.

Joseph Stilwell has found yet another bank to pressure.

Solera National Bancorp (SLRK) in Lakewood, Colo., reported a quarterly loss less than a month before it will face a pair of shareholder challenges at its annual meeting.

HomeStreet (HMST) in Seattle has filed to sell up to $125 million in securities.