Provident Financial Services (PFS) of Jersey City beat fourth-quarter earnings expectations as it lowered its loan-loss provision and profited from asset sales.

Consolidation has left one of the nation's most crowded banking markets without a dominant local player. But a handful of hometown banks, including Ed Wehmer's Wintrust Financial along with PrivateBancorp, MB Financial and First Midwest Bancorp, look to be in a good poisiton to pursue the mantle.

The drain from construction loan portfolios has slowed, and other categories of commercial property loans have notched gains in recent periods.

James Abbott, recently named the best investor relations professional for mid-cap banks, understands what analysts need to know about Zions because he used to be one of them.

Northfield Bancorp (NFBK) in Woodbridge, N.J. has promoted a senior executive to become its president.

Add First Baldwin Bancshares in Foley, Ala., to the list of companies turning to bankruptcy as a way to stabilize banking units.

Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) has agreed to buy a credit card portfolio from Quad City Bank & Trust.

By and large, banks that operate in states with high deposit rates should also benefit from increased lending activity, a study finds.

Western Alliance's deal for a small industrial loan company out of bankruptcy shows that old-fashioned financial deals still have appeal for shrewd shoppers.

North Valley Bancorp (NOVB) in Redding, Calif., disclosed an error in its third-quarter earnings report that will reduce its profit by more than $1.3 million.

A once minor marketing relationship with Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has become one of the best moves ever by Baltimore's struggling First Mariner Bank.

Brookline Bancorp (BRKL) in Boston reported higher quarterly earnings after an acquisition boosted interest income.

Fees from mortgage banking and fewer troubled loans lifted First Mariner Bancorp in the fourth quarter. The $1.38 billion-asset company in Baltimore earned $1.6 million in the fourth quarter after losing $4 million a year earlier.

The biggest expansion of the banking rulebook is still on the horizon. The changes could lead to an overhaul of banking business models.

Yadkin Valley Financial in Elkin, N.C., sold a reinsurance business during the fourth quarter.

Lakeland Bancorp (LBAI) in Oak Ridge, N.J., has tapped a new leader for its bank just two days after announcement plans to buy Somerset Hills Bancorp (SOMH).

Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) has promoted longtime executive John Irwin to president of its western Michigan region.

The Harbaugh brothers have become a key theme for this year's Super Bowl. Banking has also had its share of sibling combinations over the years.

The Treasury Department has unloaded its latest round of bank stocks from the Troubled Asset Relief Program at a deep discount.

The long-delayed merger between First California Financial Group (FCAL) and Premier Service Bank (PSBK) has been called off.