CenterState Banks (CSFL) in Davenport, Fla., plans to close 13% of its branches and fire 57 employees.

New auto loans climbed to an eight-year high in the first 10 months of 2013, according to the latest National Consumer Credit Trends Report from Equifax.

Community banks originated about 60% of the $1.5 billion of loans issued through the State Small Business Credit Initiative, a program created as part of the 2010 Jobs Act.

Kitsap Bank in Port Orchard, Wash., has hired a chief financial officer.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. filed a lawsuit Friday in U.S. District Court in Colorado against nine former executives and directors at United Western Bank, which failed in 2011.

The $5.6 billion-asset company’s fourth-quarter earnings rose 29% from a year earlier, to $15.3 million.

Fulton Financial (FULT) in Lancaster, Pa., reported a nearly 5% increase in fourth-quarter earnings, capping a year of loan growth and credit quality improvements.

First Midwest Bancorp (FMBI) in Itasca, Ill., posted higher earnings in the fourth quarter as noninterest expense fell and credit quality improved.

Bank CEOs, particularly those running small banks, shouldn't be judged on stock price alone. Board members and investors should also consider, among other things, liquidity, tangible book growth and oversight of mergers and acquisitions.

Renasant (RNST) in Tupelo, Miss., posted a big increase in quarterly profit following its recent purchase of First M&F.

In a reflection of how important--and how tough--expense cuts are to banks these day, SunTrust devoted part of its recent earnings call to discussing a real estate move aimed at saving $100,000 a month.

U.S. Bancorp (US) reported fourth-quarter profit that beat analysts' estimates as the bank set aside less money for credit losses.

TriCo Bancshares (TCBK) in Chico, Calif., has agreed to buy North Valley Bancorp (NOVB) in Redding, Calif.

Zions Bancorporation (ZION), the Utah lender that forecast last month the new Volcker Rule would wipe out its profit, said losses will be about half what it expected after regulators eased enforcement.

TrustCo Bank (TRST) in Glenville, N.Y., reported higher quarterly profits because of loan growth and improved asset quality.

Wintrust Financial (WTFC) in Rosemont, Ill., recorded higher fourth-quarter earnings because of an increase in net interest income and a lower loan-loss provision.

The $2.1 billion-asset People will pay $12.6 million in cash and stock for the $91 million-asset Midwest in a transaction that is expected to close by mid-2014. Midwest also has $61 million in loans and $79 million in deposits.

FNB Corp. (FNB) in Hermitage, Pa., posted slightly lower earnings in the fourth quarter as its acquisitions of Annapolis Bancorp (ANNB) and PVF Capital (PVC) boosted expenses.

ConnectOne is a busy lender but light on deposits, while Center Bancorp has a low loan-to-deposit ratio. The combined company will stand a better chance at organic loan growth in the future. More deals like it are coming as banks look to a more robust lending environment in the next few years.

The Southeastern companies used the fourth quarter to record several one-time expenses that dinged their bottom lines. Still, observers detected strength in their core results.