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

First Citizens BancShares (FCNCA) in Raleigh, N.C., received an earnings boost from improved credit quality and a favorable adjustment to loss-share agreements with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) of Little Rock, Ark., has agreed to buy Summit Bancorp in Arkadelphia, Ark.

As operating costs rise, a growing number of community banks are following the lead of larger rivals by shuttering branches, though analysts hope the pace of closures will accelerate.

Beneficial Mutual Bancorp (BNCL) reported lower net income that still managed to meet Wall Street expectations.

Microsoft is scheduled to stop supporting Windows XP, the operating system inside most ATMs, on April 8. Diebold chief executive Andy Mattes weighs in on the impact to the industry.

The New York bank won $25,000 and two tickets to the big game being held nearby this Sunday because of its charity efforts -- and then donated it all to charity.

Central Pacific Financial (CPF) in Honolulu reported a big decline in fourth-quarter earnings as income from sales of residential mortgage loans and sales of foreclosed assets plunged.

First Interstate BancSystem (FIBK) in Billings, Mont., turned credit-quality improvements into a big increase in earnings last quarter.

Big banks have discovered that mobile banking is their best bet for combating deep consumer distrust and rampant turnover. Small banks can overcome their lock on mobile by playing up the strengths of their existing business model.

United Bankshares (UBSI) in Charleston, W.Va., saw earnings fall as fee income took a dive last quarter.

UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma will remain a spokesman for the Massachusetts bank, which summoned a minor league baseball exec from the bullpen to fill the open board seat.

Private student loans are an asset class that has been a solid performer. There are few better ways to invest in the rebuilding of America than investing in our children and providing the means for a college education.

Prosperity Bancshares (PB) in Houston is rearranging a number of its management posts.

CenterState Banks (CSFL) in Davenport, Fla., has agreed to buy First Southern Bancorp (FSOF) in Boca Raton, Fla.

Community banks are still struggling to regain their financial footing following the drying up of mortgage refinancings. But quarterly results are providing some glimmers of hope. Here are the highs and lows from the nearly 200 community banks that have reported so far.

Banks should devote more attention to big data, cloud computing and other high-tech tools that will help expand revenue and less time on cost cutting and other short-term gains.

Astorial Financial (AF) in Lake Success, N.Y., reported higher quarterly profits because of improved credit quality.

Banks that trade over-the-counter have long had concerns their stocks suffer from light trading and visibility. They hope a new exchange will help boost their stocks' liquidity and their buying power for acquisitions.

JPMorgan Chase (JPM) is committing $33 million to encourage community development financial institutions to work together to stimulate economic growth in underserved markets.