The complexion of bank M&A has changed, say investment bankers at St. Charles Capital in Denver: buyers and sellers are healthier, both sides are closer together on valuations and more buyers are approaching targets directly in lieu of bidding wars.

Webster Financial in Waterbury, Conn., has promoted one of its executives to run its personal bank operations.

Hamilton State Bancshares in Hoschton, Ga., has agreed to buy Cherokee Banking in Canton, Ga.

SBT said Monday that Richard Sudol will succeed Anthony Bisceglio, who is retiring from the $382 million-asset company.

The longtime chief operating officer at Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) in Little Rock, Ark., is retiring.

U.S. Century Bank in Doral, Fla., has gained a pair of new investors and lost two others in the latest chapter of the struggling bank's $50 million recapitalization plan.

The company, which lost millions of dollars after straying from core banking, has returned to its roots as a traditional banking around Philadelphia.

Community Bank Shares in New Albany, Ind., has lowered its cost estimates for integrating First Federal Bank in Lexington, Ky.

Sun Bancorp (SNBC) in Vineland, N.J., has hired a veteran banking executive to become its chief credit officer.

Free checking accounts may be on the wane, but a majority of Americans still pay no monthly service fees, according to a survey from the American Bankers Association.

A pair of Oregon banks are facing charges in a civil lawsuit brought by victims of an alleged Ponzi scheme.

Capitol Bancorp (CBCRQ) has lost another bank after regulators closed its Sunrise Bank of Arizona on Friday.

Community South Bank in Parsons was shut down by Tennessee regulators Friday.

HopFed Bancorp (HFBC) in Hopkinsville, Ky., and Sumner Bank & Trust in Gallatin, Tenn., have terminated plans to merge.

EverBank Financial (EVER) has reached a $43 million settlement with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in connection with allegations of improper foreclosure practices.

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for help in catching the so-called Loan Ranger Bandit, the agency announced on its website Friday.

The Great Recession allowed banks to gain ground on the finance arms of automakers. Now they're making investments aimed at keeping that edge.

The regional banks face a False Claims Act probe by the departments of Justice and Housing and Urban Development into how they originated FHA-insured loans. Large fines may follow.

Banks and credit unions are squaring off on the social media front over a Depression-era law that exempts credit unions from federal income taxes.