ROCKVILLE, Md. — Branchless-Realtors FCU, billed as the first virtual credit union when it was chartered by the National Association of Realtors three years ago, is throwing in the towel and plans to merge into Northwest FCU, the $2.2 billion credit union in nearby Herndon, Va.

After benefiting from the acquisition of a failed bank in 2011, First Citizens BancShares’s (FCNCA) first-quarter earnings were down more than 42%, to $35.5 million, from a year earlier.

The $5.4 billion-asset company's aggressive pursuit of First California and American Perspective may inspire others to abandon the traditional courtesies of the bank deals market.

Clifton Savings Bancorp (CSBK) in New Jersey said Wednesday that it is making a concerted effort to increase its lending in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods so that it can improve its Community Reinvestment Act rating and follow through with its plan to become a 100% stock-owned company.

Hawthorn Bancshares (HWBK) in Lee's Summit, Mo., has repaid $12 million of the $30.2 million in funds it received under the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

PlainsCapital's relatively weak price may give aspiring sellers a reason to pause, though industry observers say there are reasons why this deal failed to meet the hot premiums that other Texas banks have commanded.

PacWest Bancorp in Los Angeles is attempting a hostile takeover just days after unseating Umpqua Holdings to buy American Perspective Bank. Industry observers say the company's newfound buying aggression might make it a better seller someday and give its PE investors a tidy exit.

First National Corporation in Strasburg, Va., is planning to raise up to $11.8 million in a rights offering and intends to use the proceeds to bolster its capital levels, invest in its expansion and perhaps buy back preferred shares issued under the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Business clients that receive thousands of checks per month typically can't get automated bulk check processing services from a small bank. And if the services matter to those clients, the small banks lose their business to larger rivals.

Enterprise Financial Services (EFSC) in St. Louis is aiming to repay at least part of the $35 million it received from the Troubled Asset Relief Program by the end of this year.

Hilltop Holdings announced Wednesday that it is buying PlainsCapital of Dallas for roughly $520 million in cash and stock.

PacWest Bancorp has been busy in the past week, usurping another bank's offer for American Perspective Bank and launching a hostile bid for First California. There have been a handful of similar bids in the past decade or so, though few have succeeded.

PacWest Bancorp (PACW) in Los Angeles is dead serious about expanding its California footprint through acquisitions.

The bank, led by ex-Sovereign chief Jay Sidhu, cited uncertain market conditions.

Cambridge Savings Bank has added mobile check deposit to its mobile banking app.

Webster Financial (WBS) in Waterbury, Conn., has established a new Treasury Services division and brought in former SunTrust Banks (STT) executive Philip C. Picillo to run it.

Bankers received an earful about pay from the public this year. But among the audience that matters most—their own shareholders—the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

Sun CEO Tom Geisel says hiring teams of bankers from rivals and opening new offices will allow Sun to thrive once it purges an existing portfolio of nonperforming real estate loans.

EverBank Financial (EVER) in Jacksonville, Fla., has launched a new wealth management unit that will target affluent households nationwide.

Automated Clearing House payments are cheap, but compared to other payment methods they are slow, and companies are constantly developing adaptations and alternatives to make such payments in real time.