Recently there have been many acquisitions and other i-banking transactions involving financial technology companies that target low-to-moderate income consumers, according to a new study.

Farmers National Banc (FMNB) in Canfield, Ohio, has named Kevin Helmick its permanent president and chief executive officer.

First Citizens BancShares (FCNCA) in Raleigh, N.C., reported higher third-quarter profit because of a significant improvement in credit quality.

If there is any chance a Basel Committee standard could apply to community banks, U.S. regulators need to make every effort to consult with these institutions before agreeing to it.

The $1.7 billion-asset company said Thursday that it closed two branches last month, and that another four branches will close by next March.

New regulations and the end of the refi boom are forcing banks to seek new sources of noninterest income. Some are taking a hard look at offering services they can charge for.

The Federal Reserve Board has announced the termination of regulatory orders with four lenders Thursday: FNB United (now named CommunityOne Bancorp), Highland Bancshares, National Consumer Cooperative Bank and NCB Financial.

Stephen Carpenter will step down as CU Bancorp's vice chairman and become a director emeritus at the end of the year, the $1.3 billion-asset company said Thursday.

Southern Missouri Bancorp (SMBC) in Poplar Bluff has agreed to buy Citizens State Bankshares of Bald Knob in Arkansas.

International Bancshares (IBOC) in Laredo, Texas, reported a rise in quarterly profit as its net interest income ticked up.

Hudson Valley Holding (HVB) in Yonkers, N.Y., is launching an asset-based lending business.

The executive carousel keeps turning among Korean-American banks. BBCN Bancorp in Los Angeles has hired Daniel Kim as its chief planning officer. Kim is CFO and acting president at Saehan Bancorp, which is in the process of selling itself.

The former chief executive and chairman of Bank of the Commonwealth in Norfolk, Va., has been sentenced to 23 years in federal prison for spearheading a fraud scheme that led to the failure of the bank.

George Pelose will step down during the first quarte, the $673 million-asset company said Wednesday.

Capital Funding Group in Baltimore is selling its CFG bank unit after four years of ownership to concentrate on the less-regulated field of health-care financing. It joins a wave of firms that are streamlining themselves in the face of Basel III and other regulations.

VantageSouth Bancshares (VSB) in Raleigh, N.C., and Yadkin Financial (YDKN) in Elkin, N.C., are reportedly discussing a merger.

Institutions that cater to military families and veterans are spending more on ads as they angle to take more business away from commercial banks.

First Internet Bancorp (INBK) in Indianapolis is adding asset-based lending to its commercial offerings.

Union First Market Bancshares (UBSH) in Richmond, Va., has expanded its chief executive's role.

First Busey (BUSE) in Champaign, Ill., has named its next chief financial officer.