Despite lower credit costs, MutualFirst Financial Inc. in Muncie, Ind., returned to the red last quarter because of higher impairment charges on its securities.

Cornerstone Bank in York, Neb., has agreed to buy Harvard State Bank, also in Nebraska, for an undisclosed sum.

Bank of Commerce Holdings in Redding, Calif., is looking to join the ranks of companies raising capital for possible acquisitions.

For the New York bank, 2009 — its first year — was one for the record books. While many other community banks were tempering growth or even shrinking, the $433 million-asset start-up grew faster in its first year than had almost any other U.S. bank established over the past decade.

Is Herald National Bank flying too close to the sun? For the New York bank, 2009 — its first year — was one for the record books. While many other community banks were tempering growth or even shrinking, the $433 million-asset start-up grew faster in its first year than had almost any other U.S. bank established over the past decade.

MIDWEST

TierOne Corp. in Lincoln, Neb., got a new chief executive and struck a deal to sell nearly half its branches, but remains under the gun to raise a relatively large amount of capital.

Three months after stepping down as the chief executive of Royal Bank of Canada's U.S. operations, Scott Custer is gearing up to build a new bank spanning the Carolinas and Virginia.

BCB Bancorp Inc. in Bayonne, N.J., said Tuesday that its fourth-quarter earnings fell 80% from a year earlier, to $434,000.

Superior Bancorp in Birmingham, Ala., said Tuesday that it swung to a fourth-quarter loss of $11.5 million, from a $1.1 million profit a year earlier.

First Defiance Financial Corp. in Ohio has revised its fourth-quarter earnings.

Flagstar Bancorp Inc. in Troy, Mich., came up nearly $200 million shy of its capital-raising goal in a rights offering that expired Monday.

In this age of record bank failures, the deposit/loan model should be shelved for good. Success lies in delivering a wider array of financial services to gain a stronger client bond.

Hanmi Financial Corp. announced Monday that it has hired the investment bank Cappello Capital Corp. to explore strategic alternatives to satisfy regulators.

Although its thrift unit remains undercapitalized, Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin Inc. in Madison reported improved results for its most recent quarter.

The Obama administration has pledged $30 billion to help community banks boost small-business lending. That has led to a big debate centering on one issue: Should strugglers be eligible?

Prosperity Bancshares Inc. in Houston announced Monday that it would acquire the 19 branches, including deposits of $500 million and assets of $100 million, from First Banks for a 5.5% deposit premium, or $27.5 million.

WASHINGTON — President Obama on Friday said he wants to expand Small Business Administration guarantees to commercial real estate loans.

Senate Banking Committee leaders said Friday that negotiations on a regulatory reform bill had reached an impasse. We offer the following FAQ about what is really going on.

The FDIC said Community Development Bank would take over operations of 1st American State Bank, which late Friday became the third institution closed in Minnesota this year.