Critics have complained recently that bank regulators and the Justice Department have been overstepping their legal authority and acting like moral police. American Banker staffers discuss what's behind the charges and whether they stand up to scrutiny.

CenterState Banks (CSFL) in Davenport, Fla., has appointed Ed Kofman to head its loan trading and hedge desk as managing director.

Mercantile Bank (MBWM) in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Firstbank (FBMI) in Alma, Mich., are extending the termination date for their delayed merger.

Union State Bank in Arkansas City, Kan., has had a member of the Docking family at its helm for more than 50 years. That is about to change.

The highway to higher bank profits is littered with dead banks and S&Ls. Don’t be surprised to discover a few more casualties along the highway if and when long-term fixed-rate lending really takes off.

Park Sterling (PSTB) in Charlotte, N.C., has added to its recently established team in Virginia.

Enterprise Financial Services (EFSC) in Clayton, Mo., has promoted an executive to lead its commercial banking efforts.

Guernsey Bancorp in Westerville, Ohio, has terminated an agreement to buy Ohio State Bank in Marion.

Umpqua Holdings and Sterling Financial are paying Banner $7 million to take the branches. Though negative bids are uncommon in healthy bank deals, it seems like a small price to get regulators to bless a $2 billion merger.

Regulation, succession planning and lending limits are huge issues, particularly for banks with $100 million or less in assets. As a result, more of those banks are taking a hard look at selling themselves.

A former executive of Anchor Bancorp Wisconsin (ABCW) in Madison has been charged with six counts of wire fraud, the U.S. attorney’s office in Madison said Wednesday.

North Shore Bank in Brookfield, Wis., bank celebrated its 90th anniversary by giving cash awards to three money management instructors. Find out why the bank has long had a soft spot for teachers.

First Business Financial Services (FBIZ) in Madison, Wis., is looking for a new chief financial officer.

Hamilton Bank (HBK) in Baltimore has poached three executives from CFG Community Bank in Lutherville, Md.

Remember when Hall of Famers Phil Rizzuto and Jim Palmer used to shill for The Money Store? Financial firms continue to rely heavily on high-profile endorsements. Following are some noteworthy examples.

VantageSouth Bancshares (VSB) in Raleigh, N.C., has redeemed all outstanding shares issued to the Treasury Department under the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

City National (CYN) in Los Angeles is transferring an executive to become head of its bank's New York private client services group.

PL Capital scored another victory this week when it put an end to a proxy challenge against Alliance Bancorp of Pennsylvania (ALLB) in Broomall.

Banner Corp. (BANR) in Walla Walla, Wash., has agreed to buy six branches in Oregon from Sterling Financial (STSA) in Spokane, Wash.

FNBH Bancorp (FNHM) in Howell, Mich., plans to raise up to $1.5 million in a rights offering.