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.

The $22.4 billion-asset company reported a profit of $64.3 million, or $1.34 per share, a 28% increase from the same quarter in 2012.

Arrow Financial (AROW) in Glens Falls, N.Y., posted higher earnings in the fourth quarter as it benefited from lower expenses related interest-earning deposits.

First Citizens Banc Corp (FCZA) in Sandusky, Ohio, is planning to exit the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Community National Bank in Derby, Vt., has promoted Kathryn Austin to chief operating officer. She will continue as executive vice president in charge of retail banking at Community National and its parent, Community Bancorp.

Sen. David Vitter, R-La., a member of the Senate Banking Committee, announced Tuesday that he will run for governor of Louisiana in 2015.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland has reset its governance boards for the year, including naming Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) Chief Executive Kevin Kabat as a director.

Charmian Uy, the U.S. Treasury's chief investment officer for the Trouble Asset Relief Program, details the government's strategy to exit a program that she believes "will be judged favorably over time."

Several more banks have disclosed financial hits because they hold securities that regulators declined to exempt from the Volcker Rule. Many of the bankers are upset because they are taking impairment charges on performing securities.

Synovus Financial (SNV) in Columbus, Ga., reported lower quarterly earnings because of a decline in mortgage banking revenue and a litigation-related charge.

A new report from Moody's suggests that roughly a dozen regional banks are at risk of sustaining meaningful credit losses on home equity lines of credit that were originated in the boom years and are scheduled to reset over the next three years.

Center Bancorp (CNBC) in Union, N.J., has agreed to buy ConnectOne Bancorp (CNOB) in Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

On Friday the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency closed the $61.7 million-asset DuPage National Bank in West Chicago, Ill. Its failure is expected to cost the Deposit Insurance Fund $1.6 million.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency took action against bank technology providers BSERV and Fundtech in December, ordering the companies to ensure that their services effectively monitor risk.

Old Second Bancorp (OSBC) in Aurora, Ill., is set to begin a stock offering that could help it dig out of a deep capital hole.

The Buffalo, N.Y., company still has some goodwill from analysts based on its reputation as a skilled bank buyer, but it has become the poster child for the risks associated with M&A in a tough regulatory environment.

Executives at a number of midsize institutions were excited about the prospects of booking more commercial loans in 2014.