Forget the chitchat, find seasoned bankers (especially from your previous employer) and invite them over to meet the CEO — that's the recruiting formula Rodney Rushing uses at ServisFirst.

The Fed had reached the agreements in 2010 with America's Community Bank in Blue Springs, Mo., and First Capital West Bankshares in Laramie, Wyo.

BNC Financial Group (BNFI) in New Canaan, Conn., has promoted Robert J. Palermo to become the president of Bank of Fairfield.

Rusty Cloutier, the Lafayette, La., company's CEO, says MidSouth can double in size over the next five years without making another large acquisition.

Kentucky First Federal Bancorp (KFFB) has received approval from Federal Reserve Board to waive its right to receive a dividend.

Getting a good deal is sometimes about more than fetching top dollar, as private-equity investors in West Coast Bancorp demonstrate in their agreement to sell to Columbia Banking.

Flagstar, the $14.3 billion-asset company's board Tuesday approved a reverse split of outstanding shares that will give holders of Flagstar common stock prior to Oct. 24 one share for every 10 they own.

Umpqua Bank will open its first retail branch in San Jose early next year as part of its continued expansion in the Bay Area.

Naugatuck Valley Financial in Connecticut has named William C. Calderara its president and chief executive.

First Bancorp in Troy, N.C., has agreed to buy a branch from Four Oaks Fincorp in Rockingham and will also acquire $64 million in deposits and $22 million in loans associated with a branch in Southern Pines.

MidSouth Bancorp (MSL) in Lafayette, La., is expanding northward with an agreement to buy PSB Financial in Many, La., for $39 million.

Taylor Capital (TAYC) will take a $3.7 million charge for the third quarter after its bank decided to extinguish some of its outstanding debt.

West Coast Bancorp's pending $506 million sale to Columbia Banking System could serve as a green light for private equity firms itching to cash out of post-crisis bank investments.

Banks can retain loyalty while changing their checking account fee structures by personalizing their service practices, continually improving upon the customer's experience and leveraging data generated by their call centers.

While criticizing big bank bailouts, the former FDIC chairman highlights instances where small firms — including United Commercial Bank and ShoreBank — were closed even with alternatives available.

Flagstar Bancorp (FBC) in Troy, Mich. must stand trial over charges it breached contracts for financial guaranty insurance on roughly $1 billion in residential mortgage-backed securities it issued during the run-up to the financial crisis.

WASHINGTON — Zions Bancorp., the largest bank remaining in the Troubled Asset Relief Program, repaid the last of its government funds to exit the program Wednesday, the Treasury Department announced.

An increase in capital requirements may reduce earnings, minimize returns and contribute to a stagnant environment where loan production is at a minimum and bank acquisitions are very few.

Aspiring consolidators are weighing the advantages of attracting lending teams instead of making outright acquisitions.

Fidelity Bancorp, Western Liberty and Savannah Bancorp artfully structured deals to sell themselves, and are rushing to complete them, in case Congress raises capital gains taxes next year.