Lenders must have their paperwork in order before filing a foreclosure, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled Wednesday in dismissing a lawsuit brought against Duane and Julie Schwartzwald, homeowners in Xenia, Ohio, by Freddie Mac.

While standards for issuing government-backed loans have clearly tightened for borrowers with spotty credit, bankers report the criteria for someone with a good credit score mirrors standards used before the crisis.

Community & Southern Bank in Atlanta is launching a mobile banking app that includes a mobile deposit feature.

More small banks with good credit quality are seeking buyers because their growth prospects are dim.

Two community banks — Central Bancorp in Somerville, Mass., and U.S. Century Bank in Doral, Fla. — delayed shareholder votes on pending deals, blaming complications from Hurricane Sandy.

CEO Scott Kisting says the Spokane, Wash., which recently agreed to buy the $1.2 billion-asset PremierWest, realizes the value of scale. AmericanWest will still look at banks of different sizes, but it now prefers bigger deals.

A breakdown of M&A announcements in the financial services industry for the week ended Oct. 27

Why are there so few women at the top ranks of large banks? One factor: they lose hope. That needs to change, editor-at-large Barbara Rehm says.

First National Bank has agreed to buy City National Bancshares in a deal between Nebraska banks.

First Midwest Bancorp (FMBI) in Itasca, Ill., reported a third-quarter loss after it too steps to resolve $223 million of nonperforming and potentially problem loans.

Demand for loans and fewer credit losses narrowed losses at Hampton Roads Bankshares (HMPR) in Norfolk, Va. in the third quarter.

First Mariner Bancorp (FMAR) posted another quarterly profit, but the Baltimore company said it is still looking for capital.

An increase in mortgage banking revenue contributed to an increase in third-quarter earnings at BOK Financial (BOKF) in Tulsa, Okla.

Westbury Bank in West Bend, Wis., aims to raise as much as $46.8 million and convert to full stock ownership from a mutual holding structure.

First Financial (THFF) in Terre Haute, Ind., reported a drop in quarterly earnings because of higher expenses and credit costs.

The truest way to reach your personal goals is to show your people, in actions and words, that your priority is helping them reach theirs.

The storm may have passed, but its effects on big banks and their customers are far from over.

BNC Bancorp (BNCN) in High Point, N.C., reported lower third-quarter income because of costs related to recent acquisitions.

The board at First Security Group (FSGI) in Chattanooga, Tenn., has adopted a plan that would preserve its deferred tax asset in the case of ownership change.

Banking powers, specifically the power to accept demand deposits, should be limited by Congress to institutions qualifying for federal deposit insurance. Otherwise we face uncontrolled systemic risk from inconsistently regulated entities.