Determined to stay independent, Allegiance Bancshares is looking for more deals like its recent one with Independence Bank so it can get big enough to go public. Other Texas banks could be attracted by the chance to join a soon-to-be public company.

Demand for mortgage loans is on the rise as delinquencies and foreclosures continue to decline, according to two recent surveys from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Cascade Bancorp (CACB) in Bend, Ore., reported a surge in quarterly earnings because of a large tax-related gain.

Community banks keep getting more comfortable with commercial real estate loans, including relatively riskier types, despite memories of bad CRE loans from the economic crisis.

Many community bankers are looking to expand into new types of activity to bolster their results in a time of sluggish loan demand. However, venturing into everything from wealth management to credit cards to cybersecurity poses formidable risks as well as rewards. American Banker staffers discuss the trend.

John Koelmel will receive a severance package from First Niagara Financial Group (FNFG) that is 38% smaller than previous reports had indicated.

The Office of the Comptroller of Currency has terminated a written agreement with Coastal Banking in Beaufort, S.C.

United Community Financial in Youngstown, Ohio, blamed its second-quarter loss on an accounting matter.

Bank of Wausau was shut down by Wisconsin regulators Friday.

Roma Financial (ROMA) in Robbinsville, N.J., swung to a loss in the second quarter thanks to a check-kiting scheme.

Deal activity was hottest in the Southeast and Midwest, Stifel and KBW moved up in the advisory rankings after combining forces and a BankThink point-counterpoint addresses the taboo subject of whether bank mergers are worth doing.

Jacksonville Bancorp (JAXB) in Florida recorded its second straight quarterly profit as it continues to clean up its loan portfolio.

Prosperity Bancshares is finding that its recent deals — which allowed the Houston company to expand in highly coveted businesses such as private banking and cards — are producing a nice boost to fee income.

The $902 million-asset company said Friday that it plans to shut down First Financial Diversified, which provides escrow services to First Financial and other customers.

Consolidation is needed to help the economy because there are too many banks, argues the author, a longtime bank investor. Many parties benefit from deals, and any return for the seller is better than producing poor results or being seized by regulators.

Bryn Mawr Bank (BMTC) in Pennsylvania and MidCoast Community Bancorp in Wilmington, Del., have terminated plans to merge.

Orient Bancorp in San Francisco named Richard Cupp, a well-known California banker and turnaround specialist, its permanent chief executive five weeks after he joined as interim CEO.

Customers Bancorp (CUBI) in Wyomissing, Pa., has opened a loan production office in North Philadelphia with the goal of providing affordable loans to lower-income minority communities.

Carver Bancorp (CARV) in New York reported its third consecutive quarter of profitability, reflecting lower expenses and higher income from asset sales.