Bank of the West is trying to expand its lending, even to small-business borrowers who are initially turned down for new loans, while managing risk prudently. Andy Harmening, a senior executive vice president and regional banking group head, discusses the bank's efforts to increase business but control risk. He spoke to American Banker at the annual Best Practices in Retail Banking Symposium.

The GSE believes it can offer community banks another source of revenue by originating and selling agricultural loans.

Mitsubishi UFJ, Japan's biggest lender, plans to increase loans to energy and utility industries in the U.S. to capitalize on a recovery in the world's largest economy, President Nobuyuki Hirano said.

Flagstar Bancorp in Troy, Mich., has added two key executives: Hugh Boyle, a former chief risk officer at Washington Mutual, will have the same job at Flagstar; and Michael Flynn was hired as the company's general counsel.

Investors in search of yield are supporting a return to more aggressive, higher-risk transactions. Banks need the discipline of fixed underwriting standards to prevent mindless herding.

M&T Bank's purchase of Hudson City Bancorp faces a lengthy delay after regulators raised concerns about M&T's compliance with anti-money-laundering rules.

Century (CNBKA), a $3.2 billion-asset company in Medford, Mass., said in a regulatory filing Thursday that James McDonough had resigned as a director to become CEO of Randolph Savings in Stoughton, Mass.

As part of a regular update of its finances, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said it will return amounts from the 2009 prepayment that were unnecessary.

Community banks have upped their lending to first-time home buyers and more and more are making mortgage loans on their own without the help of wholesalers, according to the American Bankers Association.

The Bellevue, Wash., bank has done fine on its own, but decided to buy a smaller version of itself in hopes of boosting market value. And its CEO says he's not done dealing.

A fight over board seats at South Street Financial pits the company's management against the president and CEO of a bank in Pennsylvania.

In an eventful earnings announcement, the company also reported a big jump in profits and disclosed more details about a fraud scheme perpetrated by a warehouse-lending partner.

Commerce Bancshares in Kansas City, Mo., reported lower quarter earnings because of lower interest rates.

Investors pay attention to banks' dealing with relatives of executives and directors. Many of those details are highlighted in annual proxy statements. Here are some high-profile examples.

AmericanWest Bank in Spokane, Wash., has promoted an insider to oversee its expansion into Oregon and northern California.

CrossFirst Holdings in Leawood, Kan., has wrapped up a $22 million private placement.

Stieven, who has followed banks 30 years, managed a portfolio teeming with bank buyers. Still, he cautions against deals that only build scale.

The designer, reality television star and daughter of Donald Trump will not seek re-election to Signature's board, due to her "highly demanding schedule."

Big banks and their CEOs are facing lots of questions at their upcoming shareholder meetings, but the stakes might be higher for community and regional banks.

Bank of the West is putting a big focus on small-business lending while waiting for the sluggish loan growth environment to improve, says Andy Harmening, a senior executive vice president and regional banking group head. Harmening spoke to American Banker at the annual Best Practices in Retail Banking Symposium.