The central bank is making clear it has doubts about the private sector's ability to implement a faster electronic payments system on its own.

Rockville Financial (RCKB) in Rockville, Conn., will merge with United Financial Bancorp (UBNK) in West Springfield, Mass.

The House Financial Services Committee passed several bills on Thursday, including regulatory relief legislation for community banks and credit unions.

Old Line Bancshares in Bowie, Md., agreed to disclose more information about a recent acquisition when challenged by shareholders, but it refused to pay any money. That rare resistance could embolden other banks to fight such suits harder, experts say.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has lifted an Oct. 2010 consent order against Santa Clara Valley Bank in Santa Paula, Calif.

Social media can be treacherous for any large firm. Just ask JPMorgan Chase, which provoked a frenzy this week after its #AskJPM hashtag was hijacked by angry customers. Big banks arguably face more challenges than other large corporations because, while they must use social media to reach out to customers, they still face substantial reputation damage from the financial crisis. Following are some of the worst experiences banks have had to date.

How can banks charge their customers more without inviting their outrage? By introducing new services to off-set the fees and by communicating clearly with their customers, according to some small banks. American Banker reporters discuss other tips for companies that are trying to raise their prices but keep their customers happy.

Suffolk Bancorp (SUBK) in Riverhead, N.Y., has settled a longstanding lawsuit from investors.

Valley Financial (VYFC) in Roanoke, Va., has exited the Troubled Asset Relief Program with the repurchase of a warrant the company issued to the Treasury Department in 2008.

Directors at community banks could also face more liability as regulations, including the qualified mortgage rule, are implementing in coming months

Sandy Spring Bancorp (SASR) in Olney, Md., has named Ronda McDowell as chief credit officer of its bank.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is seeking $6.3 million in damages from three former directors of the failed Progress Bank of Florida in Tampa.

A number of roll-up companies were built for an M&A market characterized by a torrent of failed banks, a dearth of available capital and lots of sellers. Things turned out much differently. Here's how one company, National Bank Holdings, has adjusted.

A class-action settlement between Old Line Bancshares (OLBK) in Bowie, Md., and shareholders of WSB Holdings has been approved by the Maryland circuit court for Prince George's County.

The $680 million-asset company said Wednesday that it launched Bankwell Investment Services after hiring adviser Louis Czerwinski from First Niagara Investment Services.

The former president and chief executive of a failed bank in Savannah, Ga., has pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge in a loan-fraud scheme.

Credit unions are paying more for talent and getting more aggressive in lending, as bankers start to doubt whether policymakers will ever strip their foes' tax exemption.

PPL Corp., a utility company in Allentown, Pa., has entered into a $300 million revolving credit facility with 21 banks.