CommunityOne in Asheboro, N.C., went from the brink of failure to a model of recovery in a few years. But it took new management, private-equity money, an acquisition and an accounting ace in the hole to get it done.

The Federal Reserve Board has unanimously approved acquisitions by Hana Financial Group in Seoul, Korea, and Live Oak Bancshares in Wilmington, N.C.

1st Constitution Bancorp in Cranbury, N.J., has agreed to acquire Rumson-Fair Haven Bank and Trust Co. in Rumson, N.J.

Mercantile Bank announced a deal Thursday that would make it the third-largest bank based in Michigan.

U.S. Century in Florida, one of the largest undercapitalized banks in the U.S., is trying to sell a controlling interest to an investment group. But shareholders who have sued the bank favor another group's buyout offer, and they tried to get the judge to force the bank to reconsider.

VantageSouth Bancshares (VSB) in Raleigh, N.C., has sold $38.1 million in subordinated debt.

First Community (FCCO) in Lexington, S.C., has agreed to buy Savannah River Financial in Augusta, Ga.

The struggling Anchor (ABCW) in Madison has commitments of $175 million of fresh capital, but creditor Associated Banc-Corp (ASBC) refused to sign off on the deal, according to bankruptcy court documents. Anchor then filed for Chapter 11 to facilitate it recapitalization.

Banks recently had been competing for loans mainly on price. Now, with loan growth anemic, banks are competing on loan structure, doing everything from extending amortization periods to waiving prepayment fees.

The Jefferson City, Mo., company had a profit of $1.5 million, or 30 cents a share. It reported earnings of $48,000, or one cent per share, during the same period last year.

First Mariner Bancorp (FMAR) in Baltimore swung to a loss as professional fees rose and mortgage banking income cratered.

Auto loans to the least creditworthy borrowers have rebounded, but they are still below the levels reached in the early- and mid-2000s, the New York Fed finds.

Cardinal Financial (CFNL) of McLean, Va., has promoted William T. "Bill" Mundy, an executive at its banking unit, to senior vice president and executive managing director of wealth services.

The three largest shareholders of First BanCorp (FBP) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, are planning to sell approximately $189 million worth of shares.

Declining interchange revenue translates into consumers paying more for the products and services (that in many instances were once free), with no corresponding decrease in retailer prices.

Wells Fargo is forming an advisory board to strengthen its commercial banking presence in New England.

First National Community Bancorp in Dunmore, Pa., swung to a quarterly profit thanks to cost cuts and securities sales.

Cullen/Frost Bankers (CFR) in San Antonio has agreed to buy WNB Bancshares (WNB) in Odessa, Texas, for $220 million in stock and cash.

Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin finally found some capital after a four-year search, but that wasn't enough. It has filed for Chapter 11 as a way to get Associated Banc-Corp, one of its creditors and competitors, to consent to its recapitalization.

A shareholder lawsuit against the management of Home BancGroup in Hallandale Beach, Fla., has been dismissed, according to a news report.