Taylor Capital Group (TAYC) in Chicago is buying back its outstanding Troubled Asset Relief Program shares as it waits to close its sale to MB Financial (MBFI).

The fireworks over a Pew Charitable Trusts report on lump-sum payday loans continued Friday as Pew challenged criticisms of its survey methodology.

Half of banking and other business leaders expect a stronger economy, and 44% expect a stronger M&A market, in the next 12 months, according to a new survey. Regulation remains a concern, but dealmakers are largely ignoring the lingering problems in Washington, observers say.

A group of National Football League players has sued BB&T (BBT) for nearly $60 million over alleged negligence by BankAtlantic, which BB&T acquired last year.

The head of the state bank supervisors' group said he sees a quiet push to "reform our regulatory structure to better reflect the business models of our largest banks."

Royal Bank of Scotland has accelerated its plans to sell its U.S. subsidiary. The company will conduct a partial initial public offering of its Citizens Financial Group unit in the second half of 2014, and plans to fully divest itself through offerings in 2015 and 2016.

HomeStreet (HMST) in Seattle is expanding its mortgage business in California.

Camco Financial (CAFI) said its Advantage Bank has been released from a 2012 enforcement action less than a month after agreeing to sell itself to Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) in Columbus, Ohio.

Zions Bancorp (ZION) in Salt Lake City has raised $162 million in an auction of subordinated debt.

NewBridge Bancorp (NBBC) in Greensboro, N.C., has agreed to buy CapStone Bank (CPSE) in Raleigh, N.C.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has released Hudson Valley Bank in Yonkers, N.Y., from a 2012 enforcement action.

City National Corp. (CYN) in Los Angeles has announced the pricing of a $100 million public offering.

Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust in Coral Gables, Fla., has promoted Angel Medina to president.

Call it the second wave of the mortgage-refinancing collapse. Prepayment penalty income is about to crash. Hard. Especially in New York.

The Pennsylvania company is raising $150 million. Two-thirds of it will go toward redeeming trust-preferred securities, but the remaining funds could be used to do bigger deals.

The Capital Asset Pricing Model’s value is debatable in normal times. If misapplied in today’s ultralow interest rate environment, it can severely overvalue banks and excuse poor operating performance.

CommunityOne Bancorp (COB) in Asheboro, N.C., reported its first quarterly profit since 2008.

The best banks to work for often provide their employees with good benefits and flexible schedules — but they also have more specialized perks, from free rental cars to career counseling, according to American Banker Magazine's November cover story. Editor-in-Chief Heather Landy discusses what sets some banks apart in the workplace.

Mortgage servicer Ocwen Financial (OCN) in Atlanta missed Wall Street's earnings estimates because of delays in integrating servicing rights portfolios it acquired.

Allowing a further transition period of nine to 12 months would better ensure complete compliance with all the requirements. Meanwhile, community banks will be able to continue providing the safe and solid mortgage loans they are known for.