Banking is increasingly a data-driven business. By creating a shared data and analytics utility, community banks could glean valuable insights on their business currently available only to large institutions.

Activist investor PL Capital has taken a $3.5 million stake in Old Point Financial (OPOF) in Hampton, Va.

After Decatur First Bank failed, Judy Turner could have been blacklisted from banking. But she was hired by another bank looking to enter a new market -- and she is making a solid comeback.

First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) in Cincinnati is entering the Fort Wayne, Ind., market with the establishment of commercial and residential mortgage teams there.

Susquehanna Bancshares (SUSQ) in Lititz, Pa., has hired Kevin Burns as chief risk officer and executive vice president.

Macatawa Bank (MCBC) in Holland, Mich., has exchanged all of its outstanding preferred stock for common stock and cash to simplify its capital structure and direct dividends to investors.

Pulaski Financial (PULB) in St. Louis has appointed two executives to lead its mortgage division.

The second half of December is generally a slow period for news, with many people on vacation and businesses and government closed on holidays. Still, banks made a number of significant announcements this holiday season. In many cases the timing of disclosures may have been driven by circumstance - regulators appeared eager to wrap up settlements by yearend.

The $2 billion-asset company is moving the headquarters of its mortgage banking and wealth management businesses to the Greater Richmond area, according to a Friday press release.

Kevin Miller resigned on Friday, effective immediately, the $839 million-asset company said in a regulatory filing.

Severn Bancorp (SVBI) in Annapolis, Md., will take a $4 million pretax charge in the fourth quarter after selling troubled loans.

State Bank Financial in Atlanta was able to fund an unexpected app for commercial clients because it took a fluid approach to budgeting. Other banks should take note of this approach.

CNB Financial (CCNE) in Clearfield, Pa., plans to sell up to $75 million in preferred and common stock.

Investors Bancorp (ISBC) in Short Hills, N.J., is set to complete its purchase of Gateway Community Financial in Sewell, N.J., next week.

Mackinac Financial (MFNC) in Manistique, Mich., has completed the redemption of stock originally issued to the Treasury Department under the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

J. Thomas May still believes community banks can thrive but executives must find new ways to engage customers, control costs and build scale.

A former chairman of UMB Financial (UMBF) in Kansas City, Mo., died Thursday.

Pathfinder Bancorp (PBHC) in Oswego, N.Y., has named longtime director Chris Burritt as its chairman.

A number of CEOs departed this year - voluntarily or otherwise. Some, like William Aichele of Univest, had been with their institutions for decades. Others, including Michael Tierney, had much shorter tenures.

Forget Times Square and champagne toasts. For the chief executive of American Savings Bank in Portsmouth, Ohio, New Year's Eve was all about courting business.