Activist investors challenging the management team at Synergy Financial Group Inc. in Cranford, N.J., have won the support of Institutional Shareholder Services for their bid to elect two representatives to Synergy's board.

Capitol Bancorp Ltd., of Lansing, Mich., has formed a wealth management subsidiary called Capitol Wealth Advisors. The unit, which will be based in Charlotte, is expected to be up and running by the end of the second quarter. It is meant to serve the richer customers of Capitol's 42 banks, which operate in 13 states.

National Bancshares Inc. of Bettendorf, Iowa, has agreed to acquire Metrocorp Inc. of East Moline, Ill., for $79 million.

SOUTHWEST

Dozens of small, publicly traded community banks have delisted their stocks from major exchanges in recent years to lower their compliance costs, but the parent of a small Maryland bank is going in the opposite direction.

NewAlliance Bancshares Inc. chairman and chief executive Peyton R. Patterson spent an entire morning last month serving complimentary cups of coffee to commuters in Fairfield County, Conn., as they boarded their trains.

First Banks Inc. of St. Louis agreed to acquire Pittsfield Community Bancorp Inc. in Illinois.

Sterling Bancorp of New York has agreed to buy PL Services LP, a specialty lender serving the temporary staffing industry.

Sun Bancorp Inc. in Vineland, N.J., said it expects to report first-quarter earnings of 20 to 21 cents a share, or 4 to 5 cents below analysts' estimates.

Community Capital Bancshares Inc. in Albany, Ga., said Robert E. Lee resigned as its president and a director Friday to "pursue other interests."

In a speech to a large group of bankers late last year, industry veteran Rick Hartnack, now a vice chairman of U.S. Bancorp, was clearly trying to stir the pot.

With bank losses from identity theft continuing to mount, bankers in Colorado are leading an effort that would put them on the front lines in the ID-theft fight.

NBC Capital Corp. in Starkville, Miss., has joined the list of banking companies to announce plans to enter the fast-growing Florida market.

Susquehanna Bancshares Inc. of Lititz, Pa., said that the annual report it submitted last week to the Securities and Exchange Commission was filed prematurely, before a management review and independent audit could be completed.

Republic First Bancorp in Philadelphia is seeking a New Jersey charter so it can open branches in the state.

Already operating under a consent order that requires it to improve its lending practices, First National Bank of Brewster, Minn., was hit with a second order for failing to keep proper records.

Robert L. McGoffin is preaching his own brand of gospel to bankers: Pennies really do add up.

ServisFirst Bank in Birmingham, Ala., opened its doors less than a year ago and already it ranks among the Southeast's fastest-growing start-ups ever.

Pulaski Financial Corp. in St. Louis has appointed three new directors, including a new chairman for its audit committee.