The rapidly expanding First Republic Bank (FRC) will open a branch in the wealthy south Florida enclave of Palm Beach, its first office in the Sunshine State.

The California company received the FDIC's blessing to sell 11 loans covered by loss-sharing arrangements. Industry observers believe more sales could take place now that this deal has been cleared to take place.

Associated Banc-Corp (ASBC) in Green Bay, Wis., reported its highest quarterly profit since early 2008 as commercial and business lending surged.

The $70.8 million deal would add 13 branches and $550 million of deposits in the growing Pittsburgh market.

The deal with Apple Bank provides Emigrant with much-needed capital, though the private bank's lofty price expectations may have warded off other potential bidders, sources says.

Virginia Commerce Bancorp (VCBI) is delaying its planned exit from the Troubled Asset Relief Program following discussions with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond regarding its repayment plan.

Business borrowers are worried about the economy, and that could slow the momentum in lending the rest of the year, the heads of BB&T, Fifth Third and Huntington warn. However, banks can survive by stealing market share, focusing on stronger markets and managing risk, executives say.

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The Federal Reserve Board has put the kibosh on Virginia Commerce Bancorp's plan to start paying back the Treasury Department this summer.

The FDIC wants banks to remove its name from a fee that covers their deposit insurance assessments. Bankers say the instruction runs counter to complaints that bank fees are often too vaguely defined.

AmericanWest in Spokane, Wash., announced Thursday it plans to acquire the $221 million-asset Inland Community Bank for $23.7 million, or 95% of its book value. It is AmericanWest's third acquisition in California in a year.

Porter Bancorp (PBIB) of Louisville, Ky., did not have to look far to find the new leader for its struggling bank.

The Federal Reserve Board has ended a written agreement with Premier Financial that required the Dubuque, Iowa, company to develop a plan to maintain sufficient capital and an adequate allowance for loan and leases losses.

KeyCorp, which is still seeing expenses eat up more than two-thirds of its revenues, will cut costs and close branches in an effort to lower its efficiency ratio.

Magna Bank in Memphis, Tenn. has switched to a state charter, dumping the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in favor of a state regulator that management believes is more familiar with its local market.

Improved asset quality and sharp decline overhead expenses in the second quarter powered CVB Financial (CVBF) in Ontario, Calif., to its most-profitable quarter in its 38-year history.

Orrstown Financial Services (ORRF) sold $28.6 million of nonperforming commercial loans to an unnamed outside investor.

Strong loan growth helped Wintrust Financial more than double its income in the second quarter to $25.6 million. It offset a surge in salaries and other employee-related expenses.

Popular's (BPOP) shares tumbled Wednesday after the San Juan, Puerto Rico, company reported that second-quarter earnings fell from a year earlier.