The $3 billion-asset StellarOne of Charlottesville, Va., said Friday that it will buy a branch from the $508 million-asset Village Bank and Trust (VBFC) in Midlothian, Va.

A proposed startup bank would court the Amish, a community with "spectacular" credit ratings and proven business acumen. The founders may have to make some special dispensations, though.

FNB United (FNBN) in Asheboro, N.C., has created a commercial real estate group at one of its banks.

U.S. Century Bank in Doral, Fla., sold about $120 million of loans in the fourth quarter of 2012.

The Federal Reserve Board has terminated a written agreement with Blue Valley Ban Corp. in Overland Park, Kan.

Royal Business Bank is relying more on making deals, particularly for banks that focus on Chinese-American communities, as competition intensifies.

The $1.4 billion-asset company said Friday that it has reactivated its buyback program, while increasing the number of shares eligible for repurchase to 5% of outstanding common stock.

WSFS Financial (WSFS) in Wilmington, Del., warned that its fourth-quarter results will include a nearly $4 million hit from paying off Federal Home Loan Bank advances.

First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) in Cincinnati gave investors a sneak peek at its fourth-quarter results while announcing a key management shift.

M&F Bancorp (MFBP) in Durham, N.C., said in a regulatory filing Thursday that it hired Randall Hall as its chief financial officer. He succeeded Lyn Hittle, who will retire in March.

Bank of Kentucky Financial (BKYF) in Crestview Hills reported higher earnings as credit issues subsided.

Wintrust Financial (WTFC) in Rosemont, Ill., posted higher earnings after pursuing acquisitions.

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Bank Mutual (BKMU) in Milwaukee reported an increase in fourth-quarter earnings because of loan sales and service fees.

A rise in fees and loans propelled People's United Financial in the fourth quarter. The $30.3 billion-asset company said Thursday that earnings rose 44% from a year earlier, to $61.2 million.

Tighter margins. Anxious commercial customers. Fresh memories of bad risks taken. These are a few of the limitations acting on Fifth Third, BB&T, PNC and other regional banks as they try to improve on progress made last year.

A group's plan to open a de novo bank in southeastern Pennsylvania could open the door for more bank charters.

Southcoast Financial Corp. (SOCB) in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., swung to a profit in the fourth quarter thanks to improvements to its loan portfolio and a lower cost of funds.

The fast-growing Berkshire Bank in Pittsfield, Mass., hopes that features like community rooms with video-game systems will attract customers as it enters new markets.

Westamerica Bancorp. (WABC) in San Rafael, Calif., reported lower quarterly earnings as low interest rates and competition took a bite out of its bottom line.