Power Financial Credit Union's deal for TransCapital Bank marks the fourth time this year a bank has agreed to be sold to a credit union in the Sunshine State.

The system is designed to help banks deliver more personalized financial advice and is meant as a challenge to traditional bank technology vendors.

Some lenders, especially in markets like California, are preparing in case of a technology-industry stumble that hurts business, real estate and other loan segments. Whether those fears are well founded is a matter of debate.

Regional and community banks are working to finance the economic development districts created by the new law. But they have lots of questions about how the program works — and thoughts on how to improve it.

The deal between Performance Trust and Banks Street Partners is the second combination this month of investment banks that cater to commercial banks.

Alex Sanchez acknowledges that the U.S. has a lot of banks and many failed in the crisis, but he says a healthy economy needs a fresh supply of community lenders to nurture entrepreneurs.

On Dec. 31, 2018. Dollars in thousands.

On Dec. 31, 2018. Dollars in thousands.

University Bancorp gained a number of offices from Huron Valley Financial. It also hired lenders and staff with experience in reverse mortgages and wholesale lending.

State law bars credit unions from accepting deposits from cities, counties and other government entities. Florida banks say it should stay that way unless tax advantages for credit unions are removed, but credit unions counter that banks are trying to stifle competition.

Financial startups are becoming important partners for community banks and credit unions, despite lobbying efforts to limit their growth.

Simple math only partly explains why smaller lenders are adding commercial and industrial loans at a faster clip than their larger counterparts.

Trying to keep pace with big banks that digitize as many processes as possible will undercut community banks’ strengths, according to speakers at this year’s ICBA convention.

Paul, one of American Banker's Community Bankers of the Year in 2012, made Eagle a formidable Washington-area institution.

Big banks’ edge lies in their sizable presence in faster-growing cities, not any unfair structural or regulatory advantages, according to a new report by the Bank Policy Institute, which represents large financial services companies. Community banks beg to differ.

First Bank is removing a competitor by agreeing to acquire Grand Bank for $19 million.

Mechanics Bank was close to buying Rabobank's U.S. unit last year, but pressed pause when the seller ran into serious legal troubles.

Christopher Becker will succeed Michael Vittorio in January.

More than 20 banks have been sold to credit unions. A prominent banking lawyer made the case at this year's ICBA convention that banks can become more aggressive acquirers.

The credit card network has teamed up with an ICBA unit and the fintech Urban FT to offer a payments services program tailored to community banks trying to keep pace with bigger banks.