A robust mergers-and-acquisitions market several years ago consolidated hundreds of the smallest banks, those with less than $200 million of assets. Then came the economic downturn, which made them the industry's most vulnerable to failure.

Though it is still addressing significant credit issues, Saehan Bancorp in Los Angeles appears to be on the upswing.

WASHINGTON — While Senate leaders said they would like to complete a vote on regulatory reform legislation this week, that goal is looking increasingly unrealistic.

Despite its cachet in Chicago and deep-pocketed supporters, ShoreBank is running out of time to find the capital it so desperately needs.

WASHINGTON — Once seen as a threat to the Federal Reserve Board's political independence, a compromise version of Sen. Bernard Sanders' amendment in the regulatory reform bill is likely to have milder implications for the central bank than previously thought.

For months now, private-equity executives and bankers have been in opposing camps in the battle for struggling banks. But Jacksonville Bancorp Inc. in Florida showed this week that it's sometimes better to recruit a rival than fight it.

Small and midsize institutions are showing increased interest in advanced automated teller machines, according to Diebold Inc. and NCR Corp.

The Obama administration released a proposal on Friday to provide additional capital to community banks to make small business loans.

Four small banks totaling $730 million in assets were closed late Friday on a relatively light evening for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

Four small banks totaling $730 million in assets were closed late Friday on a relatively light evening for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

New England Bancshares Inc. swung to a profit of $700,000 for its fiscal fourth quarter, compared with a loss of $1 million a year earlier, as net interest income improved and credit costs fell.

The Federal Reserve announced Friday that on May 4 it placed South Financial Group Inc. of Greenville, S.C., under a written agreement that, among other things, prevents the $12 billion-asset company from paying dividends without prior approval.

The stock of the embattled TierOne Corp. in Lincoln, Neb., has been delisted from the Nasdaq stock market and is now trading over the counter.

As a result, Gulf Coast bankers are optimistic about the potential for new business stemming from the recovery effort after the recent oil spill.

As a result, Gulf Coast bankers are optimistic about the potential for new business stemming from the recovery effort after the recent oil spill.

A federal judge in Atlanta unsealed an indictment Friday charging two former executives at Integrity Bank and a hotel developer with fraud tied to more than $80 million in loans from the Atlanta-area bank, which was seized in August 2008.

The Federal Reserve announced enforcement actions Friday against the South Financial Group Inc., moves to help maintain financial soundness at the company, according to the Fed order.

MIDWEST

Northwest Bancshares Inc. in Warren, Pa., has agreed to buy NexTier Inc. in Butler, Pa., for $20.3 million, the companies announced late Wednesday.

Integra Bank Corp. in Evansville, Ind., has a new strategy for addressing its problem assets: Get them off the books as quickly as possible.