The number of banks and thrifts deferring dividends on preferred stock from the Troubled Asset Relief Program rose last month, according to a report.

Sun Bancorp Inc. in Vineland, N.J., said Wednesday that it expects to report a $25 million loss from the sale of commercial real estate loans.

Norwood Financial Corp. in Honesdale, Pa., has agreed to buy rival North Penn Bancorp Inc. of Scranton for $27.1 million.

At a time when banks need to distinguish themselves and boost revenue, Investors Bancorp Inc. is embracing a service that many banks are wary of: remittances.

Washington Trust Bank in Spokane is offering mobile banking services to its customers through text, mobile Web and dedicated applications using mFoundry Inc.'s software.

Right or wrong, rumors of a Florida expansion by PNC touched a nerve with investors who are eager for straggling banks like Regions and BankAtlantic to get back on course.

Regulators have prohibited Weststar Financial Services Corp. in Asheville, N.C., from paying dividends or reducing the capital at its bank unit without permission.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has thrown its support behind legislation that would allow longtime borrowers to continue to have their loans guaranteed.

WASHINGTON — Amid asset-bubble concerns in the agricultural industry, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. urged institutions Tuesday to establish prudent risk management when it comes to farm lending.

Most billion-dollar community banks have skirted the surge of traditional mergers and acquisitions that has engulfed their smaller peers — until now.

California United Bank in Encino and California Oaks State Bank said their shareholders have approved the agreement in which California United would buy the Thousand Oaks bank.

Three community banks completed acquisitions Friday.

First Bank of the Palm Beaches has managed to maintain a middle-of-the-road status in the treacherous world of Florida banking.

ST Financial Group in College Station, Texas, has raised $15.1 million in capital through a private offering.

The National Credit Union Administration has asked Congress for extraordinary new powers that would extend the statute of limitations on charging officers and directors of failed credit unions to as long as 10 years.

AmericanWest Bancorp, a $1.5 billion-asset company in Spokane, Wash., chose to clear the $6.5 million sale through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington.

After two weeks without any failures, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. seized two small banks on Friday. The banks, with $365.3 million in combined assets, are expected to cost the Deposit Insurance Fund $113.1 million.

After two weeks without any failures, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. seized two small banks on Friday. The banks, with $365.3 million in combined assets, are expected to cost the Deposit Insurance Fund $113.1 million.

Heritage Financial Corp. in Olympia, Wash., is taking a 10% discount to its common stock to raise $50 million of fresh capital.

More companies are shuttering branches obtained in Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.-backed deals. In most cases, buyers took on branches in markets beyond their geographical scope, or came to a later realization that it would cost too much to maintain and compete for greater market share in single-branch markets.