More bankers want to use YouTube and other social media to get customers, but they often struggle with they should say or do in their campaigns. Here are three tips, including have fun and avoid repeating traditional ads.

Bankers at this year's ICBA convention in Hawaii expressed hope that an increase in loan applications — as well as some relief from pending regulations — will bode well for 2014 and beyond.

HomeStreet, the parent company of the $3 billion-asset HomeStreet Bank, plans to sell two pools of residential loans that it will continue to service.

Park Sterling Corp. (PSTB) in Charlotte has agreed to buy Provident Community Bancshares (PCBS) in Rock Hill, S.C.

Community West Bancshares in Goleta, Calif., has promoted Michael Phlaum to executive vice president and chief operating officer of its bank unit.

Eastern Bank, a mutual thrift in Boston, can only offer cash when trying to buy other banks. Many sellers prefer stock, but Eastern has been able to consistently make acquisitions using its all-cash approach.

Citadel EFT, a credit card processing firm, announced Tuesday that it is exploring ways to allow state-licensed marijuana businesses to accept electronic payments from their customers.

Zions Bancorp. (ZIONS) in Salt Lake City has named Scott McLean as its new president.

Many banks are eager to bulk up through acquisitions, but most have very specific criteria in what they want and are unwilling to settle for anything less, says McGladrey's Bob Browne.

Guaranty Federal Bancshares (GFED) in Springfield, Mo., plans to raise roughly $15 million in an initial public offering.

Eastern Bank in Boston has agreed to acquire Centrix Bank & Trust in New Hampshire in what would be Eastern's first expansion outside Massachusetts.

BBVA Compass (BBVA) of Birmingham, Ala., has opened two new banking centers in The Woodlands, Texas, a fast-growing suburb north of Houston.

Jay Sidhu's Pennsylvania company is building a separately branded bank that, like Simple, will target a demographic that feels no particular affinity toward traditional banks.

Regulators continue to make Bank Secrecy Act compliance one of their top priorities, according to newly available information on enforcement actions.

Bankers gathered for the ICBA convention in Hawaii say intensifying competition from larger players is prompting more discussion about the need to gain scale — most likely through consolidation.

Federal regulators are shining an increasingly harsh light on the debt collections practices of banks and third-party agencies, forcing many to drastically alter the ways in which they interact with delinquent consumers. American Banker outlines the changes underway and how they may trickle down to collections efforts around the nation.

S&T Bank (STBA) has opened a new branch in State College, Pa., and hired two local community bankers to expand its presence in the region.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency shuttered the $130 million-asset Millennium Bank in Sterling, Va., while Pennsylvania state regulators closed the $63 million-asset Vantage Bank in Horsham, Pa.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has approved Horizon Bancorp's (HBNC) request to acquire SCB Bancorp of East Lasting, Mich., and its subsidiary, Summit Community Bank.

Bryn Mawr Bank in Pennsylvania starts every acquisition discussion the same way: the top talent agrees to stay or Bryn Mawr is not interested in pursuing a deal. It's a lesson for anyone considering buying or selling a bank.