Most of the bankers highlighted a year ago made headlines, took bold steps or had successful years. As expected, some bought other banks, rebranded or repositioned their companies for the future.

A recap of the informed opinions (and discussions they generated) on BankThink this week.

More and more banks are ramping up in asset-based lending, even as some fret about increased regulatory scrutiny. In a Q&A, the head of the industry's trade group discusses the latest trends, what's keeping his members up nights and what to look for in the year ahead.

National Penn Bancshares (NPBC) in Boyertown, Pa., will take a fourth-quarter charge as it closes branches and prepares to move its headquarters.

Hudson Valley Holding (HVB) in Yonkers, N.Y., has hired a former regulator to be chief risk officer for its bank.

Bank of Commerce Holdings (BOCH) in Redding, Calif., continued to revamp its executive team by hiring Robert Muttera as chief credit officer.

Webster Financial (WBS) in Waterbury, Conn., has promoted Joseph Savage to president.

A look at 10 bankers who will be busy in 2014 digesting big acquisitions, finding new sources of revenue, answering critics or proving themselves in new roles.

First Citizens Banc (FCZA) in Sandusky, Ohio, has raised $25 million to exit the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Compliance is a top growing expense, the regulatory bar has increased, banks needs better talent management and cybersecurity is everyone's problem.

Virginia National Bank in Charlottesville, Va., has changed its corporate structure.

Peoples Financial (PFBX) in Biloxi, Miss., sold about $27.3 million in nonperforming assets in the fourth quarter.

First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) in Cincinnati has agreed to buy Insight Bank in Worthington, Ohio.

Provident Financial Services (PFS) in Jersey City, N.J., has agreed to buy Team Capital Bank in Bethlehem, Pa.

American River Bankshares (AMRB) in Sacramento, Calif., is looking for its next chief credit officer.

In the space of just a few hours, regulators issued -- and banks condemned -- guidance meant to clarify the impact of the Volcker Rule on small institutions.

Albert Buzzetti, founding chairman and chief executive at Bancorp of New Jersey (BKJ) in Fort Lee, has died.

Horizon Bancorp (HBNC) in Michigan City, Ind., has named a new chief financial officer and made two other executive promotions.

This time last year American Banker predicted six types of deals that would predominate in 2013. We were right about some things (more mergers of equals), wrong about others (lots of tiny banks would sell), and partly correct in some cases. Here's our self-critique.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging regulators to reconsider a provision in the recently finalized Volcker rule that they warn could harm community banks that own trust-preferred securities.