Demand for loans by consumers and businesses grew in the first quarter, according to a Federal Reserve report released Wednesday.

The Chicago-area company has shown a willingness to pursue small branch deals and expand in nearby Wisconsin as it looks for liquidity and lending opportunities.

As banks increasingly compete to manage their most affluent customers' assets, some financial companies are using savvy strategies to win a share of this lucrative business. American Banker reporters discuss the tactics some banks are using to stand out from the wealth-management crowd.

Community Bankers Trust (ESXB) in Richmond, Va., has named a new chief credit officer for its Essex Bank

U.S. banks today are safer, sounder, more secure, transparent, accountable and are performing their critical roles in the global economy.

Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) in the first quarter padded its litigation reserves and recorded one-time expenses related to a recent acquisition.

Banks from New Jersey to California are going public with offerings ranging from $23 million to $223 million. The banks will use the proceeds to do everything from buy other institutions to retire debt. Following is a look.

Unity Bancorp (UNTY) in Clinton, N.J., plans to raise up to $6 million through a rights offering.

National Penn Bancshares (NPBC) in Allentown, Pa., dropped out of the auction Tuesday afternoon after U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge David Rice agreed to reopen bidding for First Mariner.

CARS Inc. and others in the CDFI industry hope that making financial data easier to obtain will spur more people to invest in the sector.

The most notable quotes from American Banker stories of the previous week. Readers are encouraged to add their own observations in the Comments fields at the bottom of each slide.

Poage Bankshares (PBSK) in Ashland, Ky., and an activist investor have sent competing letters to shareholders ahead of next month's annual meeting.

Westamerica Bancorp. (WABC) in San Rafael, Calif., reported a dip in profits because of fewer customer transactions and a decline in loan revenue.

Needham Bank in Massachusetts will have a new chief executive next year.

The conventional wisdom has always been: prepaid card customers will pay a fee for mobile check deposit, but bank customers won't. A year ago, Regions Bank decided to charge a fee to both audiences and has monitored the results.

New Jersey Community Bank in Freehold (NJCB) has revised its fourth-quarter and annual results for 2013 to reflect a non-recurring $2 million litigation charge.

Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) in Little Rock, Ark., said that its first-quarter earnings climbed 26% from the same period last year, to $25.3 million, thanks largely to strong loan growth and an accounting gain stemming from its March acquisition of Texas of Bancshares.

Washington Federal (WAFD) in Seattle reported higher quarterly profit because of an improved deposit mix, increased fee income and loan growth.

Live Oak Bancshares is planning an initial public offering that could yield as much as $86 million for the Wilmington, N.C., company and its shareholders.

Heritage Bancorp in Pearland, Texas, has agreed to buy Nixon State Bank in Nixon, Texas.