Grant Thornton's 12th annual survey of community bank executives found that newer regulations are causing these bankers to shift priorities and reconsider ownership structures.

Hudson United Bancorp in Mahwah, N.J., has rejected suggestions that its decision to close the accounts of an Islamic school in Union City, N.J., was motivated by religious bias.

John R. Cochran, the chairman and chief executive of FirstMerit Corp. of Akron, says this will be its breakout year.

National Penn Bancshares Inc. released details Wednesday of a scheme perpetrated by one of its employees that affected roughly 85 customers.

Integrity Financial Corp. of Hickory, N.C., has retained McColl Partners LLC, the Charlotte investment banking firm founded by Bank of America Corp.'s former chairman, to explore "strategic alternatives."

After a two-year battle concerning whistleblower protection, the Department of Labor has ordered Cardinal Bankshares Inc. of Floyd, Va., to reinstate its former chief financial officer, David Welch.

What did a janitor, a Harlem canvasser, a de facto educator, and two car thieves have in common?

New York banks oppose Gov. George E. Pataki's move to eliminate a tax break on income from real estate investment trusts that are owned by corporations.

Touchstone Investments, a wholesale fund firm, says it plans to aggressively expand assets under its management by acquiring portfolios from small fund companies and small banks.

Yardville National Bancorp of Hamilton, N.J., is spending $32,000 for some advice - and some time.

Farm lenders have concerns with three provisions in the Bush administration's recently proposed agriculture budget that are meant to save the government $587 million in fiscal 2006 and $5.7 billion over the next 10 years.

Unizan Financial Corp. of Akron reported a "material weakness" in its internal controls over financial reporting.

Community bankers still expect to add employees to their payrolls in 2005. However, the number of bankers who anticipate more hirings has declined from the number who said so last year.

A Tennessee Bank Emphasizes Culture

A Los Angeles bank targeting Chinese-Americans had a successful public offering this week, providing fresh evidence of investors’ bullishness on this community banking sector.

Farmers National Banc Corp.'s fourth-quarter earnings dropped 94% from a year earlier, to $134,000.

Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp Inc. daringly predicts it will continue to double its asset size every three to five years for the foreseeable future.

MIDWEST

Community Central Bank Corp. of Mount Clemens, Mich., is buying River Place Financial Corp., a small, nondepository trust company.

Capital City Bank Group Inc. in Florida is eager to buy banks, but it's picky.