Rival bankers who operate in Chicago have been giving their takes — some sarcastic, others serious, yet others cautious — about the competitive effect of MB Financial's deal to buy Taylor Capital.

Expense control is getting extra attention at several smaller banks this earnings season, though the reasons for the scrutiny vary depending on the institution.

Former small business owner George Noga shares Fiserv's research and philosophy about how community banks can better serve and profit from small business customers.

Synovus Financial (SNV) in Columbus, Ga., has redeemed its Troubled Asset Relief Program shares after raising cash in two stock offerings.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. took seven enforcement actions and freed 13 banks from orders in June, according to a list of regulatory actions released Friday.

InsBank in Nashville, Tenn., has created a division that will focus on serving physicians.

The use of social media channels promotes transparency, enhances customer service and helps establish a senior bank executive as the most accurate and trusted source of company information.

SVB Financial Group (SIVB) in Santa Clara, Calif., benefited from higher lending income and investment gains last quarter.

Quarterly profit of Investors Bancorp in Short Hills, N.J., rose 20%, as acquisitions led to higher lending income.

U.S. Century Bank in Doral, Fla., has postponed a shareholder vote on a $50 million capital injection.

Bank of Marin Bancorp in Novato, Calif., has completed its search for a new chief financial officer.

Investors have been pressuring Hancock Holding (HBHC) in Gulfport, Miss., to speed up cost cuts after its $1.5 billion purchase of Whitney Holding in 2011. Second-quarter results strengthened their case.

More fee income and a better credit picture propelled Susquehanna Bancshares (SUSQ) in Lititz, Pa., in the second quarter.

Texas Capital Bancshares (TCBI) in Dallas posted lower quarterly income due to a spike in expenses.

Slowly but surely, community banks have been lending out more of the deposits they take in, a healthy sign for the industry’s profitability.

Fee income and better credit quality helped First Merchants Corp. in Muncie, Ind., beat its second-quarter estimates.

Normally low-profile PacWest CEO Matt Wagner could get a night gig emceeing roasts or appearing at an L.A. comedy store, a sometimes-lighthearted conference call revealed this week.

Citigroup and Wells Fargo are laying off hundreds of mortgage workers, as the boom in home loan refinances starts to taper off. The job cuts are a familiar story for the cyclical mortgage business, but they signal more bad news for the banks that have seen refis as a bright spot amid lackluster sources of revenue.

Columbia Banking System in Tacoma, Wash., reported higher quarterly earnings.

The former First PacTrust has hired ex-L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as a senior advisor and made Magic Johnson Enterprises executive Eric Holoman a director and head of its new community reinvestment panel.