Old National Bancorp (ONB) in Evansville, Ind., benefited from lower expenses in the fourth quarter.

UMB Financial (UMBF) Kansas City, Mo., has a new chief financial officer.

Contrary to sensationalistic headlines, community banks remain the lenders of choice for small businesses, who appreciate these institutions’ expertise and personal attention.

Attorneys Rusty Conner and Michael Reed are bringing their expertise in bank M&A and capital markets to law firm Covington & Burling.

The Idaho Department of Finance closed the $153.4 million-asset Syringa Bank in Boise on Friday. It was the first bank closed in the state in nearly five years.

There are too many things in M&A that buyers cannot control, including the willingness of the right targets to sell, economic conditions and the likelihood that desire will interfere with good due diligence, two Midwest bankers warn.

AltaPacific Bancorp (ABNK) in Santa Rosa, Calif., has agreed to buy Mission Oaks Bancorp (MOKB) in Temecula, Calif.

WSFS Financial (WSFS) in Wilmington, Del., realized some of the benefits of its M&A strategy last quarter.

Investors Bancorp (ISBC) in Short Hills, N.J., which is poised for a second-step conversion, saw quarterly profits soar on big loan growth.

For some, 2013 may be remembered as the toughest regulatory year on record. New regulation will likely slow this year, but scrutiny is expected to rise.

Salisbury Bank and Trust (SAL) in Lakeville, Conn., has agreed to purchase a branch from Union Savings Bank in Danbury, Conn.

The consulting firm Promontory Financial Group has established an awards program to spotlight efforts by small financial firms to serve the underbanked.

Provident Financial Services (PFS) of Iselin, N.J., said Friday that it earned $17.4 million in the fourth quarter, up 4.2% from the same quarter a year prior, due largely to improved asset quality.

Kearny Financial Corp. (KRNY) in Fairfield, N.J., has agreed to buy Atlas Bank in Brooklyn, N.Y.

A big payment to a former executive and a decline in fee income hurt earnings at Brookline Bancorp (BRKL) in Boston last quarter.

Lakeland Bancorp (LBAI) in Oak Ridge, N.J., reported higher net income after buying Somerset Hills Bancorp.

The CenterState/First Southern in Florida deal shows how banks have to cut expenses, make acquisitions and then make more cuts to move ahead in the long run.

Sterling Financial (STSA) in Spokane, Wash., posted higher quarterly profit that was aided by recent acquisitions.

Valley National Bancorp (VLY) of Wayne, N.J., reported net income Thursday of $39.6 million for the fourth quarter, a 7.6% increase from a year earlier.

Thad Woodard is retiring as president and chief executive of the North Carolina Bankers Association.