Congress typically does not include Farm Credit Administration issues in agriculture policy, but bankers and Farm Credit lenders - pushing vastly different agendas - are asking lawmakers to do so when they begin debating a farm bill next year.

PrivateBancorp Inc. in Chicago announced Wednesday that it would take an after-tax charge of $800,000 this quarter to cover losses related to theft by an employee.

International Bancshares Corp. in Laredo, Tex., has a deal to buy the $129 million-asset Southwest First Community Inc. in Beeville.

Commerce Bancshares Inc. in Kansas City, Mo., said it has agreed to buy the $124 million-asset South Tulsa Financial Corp. for $26.2 million in stock.

Danversbank in Danvers, Mass., is acquiring BankMalden, a one-branch savings bank in nearby Malden.

Wilshire State Bank in Los Angeles is set to enter New Jersey this spring. The unit of Wilshire Bancorp Inc. said Monday that it had agreed to buy a branch in Fort Lee from Royal Bank America, a unit of Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania Inc. in Narberth, Pa. It would be the $1.9 billion-asset Wilshire's first branch in that state, but its third in the New York area and its 20th nationwide.

Craig Hudson is stepping down after 20 years as the executive director of the California Independent Bankers, but he will still be making the rounds in Sacramento and Washington.

Central Pacific Financial Corp. in Honolulu has been ordered by regulators to beef up its Bank Secrecy Act compliance procedures.

Franklin Bank Corp. in Houston is counting on its latest deal to accelerate its transition from a wholesale thrift to a more traditional community bank.

Federal regulators are about to get an earful from minority bankers.

First Charter Corp. in Charlotte announced Monday that it has sold its employee benefits management subsidiary to an undisclosed buyer.

Friday produced balance-sheet reshufflings by three regional banking companies.

Provident Financial Holdings Inc. of Riverside, Calif., said Friday that it is setting aside a $2.5 million reserve to cover possible losses stemming from a housing construction project.

The holding company for Abington Savings Bank in Jenkintown, Pa., announced a plan Thursday to convert to a fully stock format.

Wintrust Financial Corp. is the fourth-largest bank holding company based in Illinois, but many of its customers wouldn't know it.

A consultant and an investment banker who have advised many credit unions that have converted to mutual savings banks denied this week that managers and directors were motivated by greed.

Premier Commercial Bancorp in Anaheim, Calif., has opened a second bank subsidiary, in Mesa, Ariz.

Family Bancorp Inc., a new holding company in Houston, has agreed to buy the $49 million-asset First National Bank of Refugio, the San Antonio Business Journal reported Thursday.

NEW ENGLAND