Several community banks are scrambling to address Tarp balances, either by selling or refinancing, as the dividend rate on those shares is set to nearly double.

The Treasury Department plans to auction stakes in eight more banks as it continues winding down the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Jacksonville Bancorp in Florida has closed the sale of $5 million worth of common stock.

Greater Hudson Bank in Middletown, N.Y., has named its next chief executive.

First Farmers Bank & Trust in Converse, Ind., has received regulatory approval to acquire most of the Bank of Indiana.

Farmers National in Canfield, Ohio, is getting rid of its chief executive.

Federal Reserve officials reassured community bankers that they are vital to the U.S. economy at a conference in St. Louis last week, while other speakers said regulators are burdening small banks with confusing, confining rules.

Community organizations in California are urging regulators to postpone approval of PacWest Bancorp's (PACW) acquisition of CapitalSource (CSE), arguing that PacWest lacks CapitalSource's commitment to serving community needs and economically disadvantaged groups.

Royal Bank of Scotland is said to be looking for a buyer for its 105-branch network in Chicago, but finding a buyer might be difficult because of market conditions and regulatory issues.

Researchers at a Federal Reserve conference in St. Louis provided data backing small bankers' concerns about regulation and competition, though it is unclear if the findings will led to meaningful change.

The $506 million-asset Delaware County Bank & Trust Company was freed from a consent order issued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp and a written agreement with the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions.

Members of the Utah Bankers Association had a meeting at the Treasury Department canceled thanks to the federal shutdown, but they managed to get in other work and play during a visit to the nation's capital this week.

Hudson Valley Holding in Yonkers, N.Y. has hired James Blose, a longtime advisor, to be its general counsel and secretary.

Jeffrey Welch resigned from the $4.1 billion-asset lender at the end of August, the company disclosed in a regulatory filing Friday.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke bit on James Bullard's joke about the superiority of St. Louis' baseball team over Washington's, but he avoided the bait to discuss the federal shutdown.

Doral Financial (DRL) in San Juan, P.R., has appointed veteran banker David Hooston as chief financial officer and executive vice president.

Home Bancorp (HBCP) in Lafayette, La., has filled two top banking roles.

First Sound Bank in Seattle has been released from a regulatory action after improving its capital levels.

Bay Commercial Bank (BCML) in Walnut Creek, Calif., has appointed a state regulator as its new chief risk officer and senior vice president.

Birds, hot tubs, carousels and more. These are among the images that Beneficial Mutual in Philadelphia used in creative ads to promote financial education and attract customers.