More banks could qualify for the tax-advantaged S corporation structure under the minimum wage bill the Senate passed last week.

Firstbank Corp. in Alma, Mich., has agreed to buy ICNB Financial Corp. in Ionia, Mich., for $38.4 million in cash and stock.

Southwest Bancorp Inc. in Stillwater, Okla., announced that it has agreed to buy Bank of Kansas in Hutchinson for $15.25 million in cash.

Coast Financial Holdings Inc. in Bradenton, Fla., announced Monday that it has hired veteran banker Tramm Hudson to advise its board of directors on problem loan resolution and bank regulation.

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The private-equity firm Castle Creek Capital LLC is on track to do the same thing in Florida that it has done in California and Texas - roll up a number of community banks and sell the resulting company for what it hopes is a nice profit.

The San Francisco private equity firm Belvedere Capital Partners Inc. says it is buying a majority interest in Professional Business Bank in Pasadena, Calif., for $51 million in cash and stock.

Disappointing fourth-quarter earnings from community banks have ratcheted up tensions between some bankers and activist investors.

James K. Toomey, the chairman of Coast Financial Holdings Inc. in Bradenton, Fla., was hospitalized Friday after complaining of chest pains.

Call it guilt by association.

The New England Patriots did not make it to the Super Bowl this year, but Boston's Eastern Bank did.

In the face of mounting pressure from Wall Street to rein in expenses, BankAtlantic Bancorp Inc. said it would reduce its 2007 marketing spending by about 22%, or $7.8 million.

Meta Financial Group Inc. of Storm Lake, Iowa, announced a loss of $3.25 million, or $1.30 a diluted share, for its fiscal first quarter, which ended Dec. 31.

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In yet another deal between mutual thrifts in Massachusetts, Sharon Co-operative Bank in Sharon has agreed to merge into Eastern Bank in Boston.

BankAtlantic Bancorp Inc.'s largest shareholder has struck a deal to buy a home builder that BankAtlantic spun off three years ago.

German American Bancorp Inc. of Jasper, Ind., said fourth-quarter earnings were flat from a year earlier, at $2.4 million.

Hancock Holding Co. in Gulfport, Miss., reported fourth-quarter earnings rose 11% from a year earlier, to $21.8 million.

First National Bank in Pennsylvania now is allowing customers same-day access to funds from most deposited local checks — no matter what time they get to the bank.

State Bancorp Inc. in Jericho, N.Y., said it has settled a 5-year-old fraud case for $65 million so its executives can focus on the business of banking.