Chino Commercial Bancorp in California reported fourth-quarter earnings of almost $168,000, three times higher than a year earlier, and year-end income of more than $441,000, about 45% higher than 2010’s results.

Virginia Commerce Bank challenged its workers to a weeks-long walking contest to promote health, and the pedometer readings were off the charts.

Hard-pressed to increase revenue, community banks are expected to discuss plans to reduce staff, close branches and purge assets when they report quarterly results.

Five community banks, including one in Boston that is a designated community development lender, have received "needs to improve" ratings on their most recent Community Reinvestment Act examinations.

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Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corp. in Bedminster, N.J., announced Monday that it will exit the Troubled Asset Relief Program this week.

Callahan & Associates has hired J. F. Sean Hession, a former executive at First National Bank of Omaha, as the consulting group's president and CEO.

First Internet Bancorp is creating a new division to offer traditional commercial and industrial lending to businesses in Indiana.

Providence Bank in Columbia, Mo., has brought in Kit Stolen 3rd as its new chief executive to oversee the clean-up of its loan portfolio and guide it through its next phase of growth.

Robert Braswell, Georgia's banking commissioner, has learned a lot after seeing 74 banks fail in his state since 2008. He remains cautious about 2012 as his team emphasizes more risk control and corporate governance at the banks that remain.

A troubled Chicago-area community bank that just received a large capital infusion from its owners is now negotiating to restructure its loan with Cole Taylor Bank as it aims to rebuild its capital reserves.

Peggy Twohig, the head of nonbank supervision for the CFPB, says the nonbank supervision team is working to assess risk in the market and identify which companies will be subject to exams.

Susquehanna Bancshares Inc. in Lititz, Pa., is scouting for a new president to run its Baltimore-area operations following the promotion of its current market president to a larger post within the company, the Baltimore Business Journal reported Friday.

PHILADELPHIA — NCUA this afternoon took People for People Community Development CU under conservatorship while it tries to nurse the troubled CDCU back to health.

Decisions to sell by some troubled banks prompted a spurt of deals last month, but M&A in 2011 was still the slowest in years. The economy and low valuations will quell any carryover effect.

Heritage Bank Inc. in Erlanger, Ky., has agreed to buy Farmers National Bank in Walton, Ky., in what would be the first acquisition in Heritage’s 21-year history.

First Place Financial in Warren, Ohio, hasn't reported any financial results since June 30, 2010. The company is in the midst of restating its results from 2008 through 2010 after a regulator ordered it to increase its loan-loss allowance.

Edwin Hale sold a million shares in the Baltimore company a week after leaving for a meager 2 cents each.

Shares for United Community Banks Inc. tumbled Friday after the Blairsville, Ga., company said it would record an additional $166.9 million in a deferred tax asset valuation allowance.