Wintrust Financial (WTFC) in Rosemont, Ill., has agreed to buy the Pewaukee, Wis., branch of The National Bank.

An big investor in SWS Group (SWS) has objected to the Dallas company's planned sale to Hilltop Holdings (HTH).

Four Oaks Fincorp (FOFN) in Four Oaks, N.C., could purge up to $50 million in assets with help from its newest investor.

NorthSide Bank in Adairsville, Ga., has hired a new president and chief executive.

Solera National Bancorp (SLRK) in Lakewood, Colo., says it tried unsuccessfully to resolve a dispute with its biggest shareholder.

C1 Bank in St. Petersburg, Fla., is betting that its new, above-average "living wage" for all full-time employees will help it attract and retain top-notch workers.

ServisFirst Bancshares in Birmingham, Ala., has filed plans to raise $72 million through in initial public offering.

Bankwell Financial (BWFG) in New Canaan, Conn., plans to raise nearly $61 million by selling common and preferred stock.

National Bank of Cambridge in Cambridge, Md., has been freed from a formal agreement with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

Popular (BPOP) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, could be looking to sell its banking operations in Chicago and Los Angeles.

Peoples Bancorp (PEBO) in Marietta, Ohio, has agreed to buy Ohio Heritage Bancorp (OHHB) in Coshocton.

The rising costs of regulatory compliance, health insurance and technology prompted Mountain Valley Bank to merge with a company that once was its biggest investor.

Clifton Bancorp (CSBK) in New Jersey has named Tricia Cademartori Hrotko to the newly created position of chief revenue officer.

Federal banking regulators have signed off on Umpqua Holdings' (UMPQ) agreement to buy Sterling Financial (STSA).

Old Second Bancorp (OSBC) in Aurora, Ill., is tempering its expectations for its planned public offering.

John and Bill Wheeler went as far as giving away foreclosed properties to reduce maintenance fees and bad assets. As a result, State Bank of Countryside has returned to profitability and is ready to start lending again.

Independence Bancshares, (IEBS) in Greenville, S.C., has filed multiple mobile payment patent technology applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Opus Bank in Irvine, Calif., has launched an initial public offering that could yield as much as $223 million for the company and its shareholders.

Fidelity Southern (LION) in Atlanta has filed documents that would allow it to issue up to $100 million in stock, warrants and debt.

Poppi Metaxas, the former president and chief executive of Gateway Bank in Oakland, Calif., has been accused of orchestrating a fraud scheme to disguise the bank's crumbling financial condition.