Thrifts reported that earnings held steady in the second quarter, at $4.21 billion, while the return on average assets dropped 3 basis points from the first quarter, to 1.11%, the Office of Thrift Supervision said Wednesday.

Texas would appear to be an obvious market for private-equity funds looking to invest in start-up banks.

The Franklin Bank name is returning to two cities in northeastern Texas.

PAB Bankshares Inc. in Valdosta, Ga., announced Tuesday that James Lovett Dewar Sr., the founder of its subsidiary bank, died Saturday after a long illness. He was 94.

(From The Credit Union Journal)

American Savings Bank in Honolulu is facing two lawsuits that say it failed to protect an elderly customer from financial abuse by a branch employee.

Banks investing in other banks is nothing new, but some are looking for returns beyond dividends and stock gains.

American Commerce Bank in Tampa has raised more capital than any other start-up in Florida history, but that money will not guarantee it name recognition.

Los Angeles’ 1st Century Bank is in the market for a new president and chief executive.

For well over a decade Olney Bancshares of Texas Inc. grew by nibbling on the rural Texas market, but after an Oklahoma acquisition last year nearly doubled its asset size, it says it is ready for bigger acquisitions, and it is looking in both states for targets.

Flushing Financial Corp. chief executive John R. Buran is confident that the market can support yet another online-only bank.

MIDWEST

Ameris Bancorp in Moultrie, Ga., is acquiring the $69 million-asset Islands Community Bank in Beaufort, S.C., for roughly $19 million in cash and stock.

National Mercantile Bancorp in Los Angeles is restating earnings to conform to the accounting requirements for interest rate swaps.

As the lack of affordable property insurance reaches crisis proportions in Florida, bankers there are pressing for legislative solutions.

Fighting a sagging stock price and disappointing earnings, Placer Sierra Bancshares abruptly changed chief executives Tuesday, announcing the immediate retirement of Ronald W. Bachli and the promotion of Frank Mercardante.

El Paso is booming, and its banks are reaping the benefits.

Park National Corp. of Newark, Ohio, has agreed to buy Anderson Bank Co. of Cincinnati for $17.7 million in cash and stock.