Regulators have pressed banks to watch out for rising concentrations of commercial real estate loans. Some banks have paid heed, but others are skyrocketing past recommended thresholds.

Malvern Bancorp in Paoli, Pa., is planning to open a commercial lending office in a new market.

Bay Banks of Virginia in Kilmarnock has agreed to buy Virginia BanCorp in Petersburg.

The U.S. is the only industrialized nation without mandated paid parental leave, but innovative leave policies are an opportunity to attract and retain employees in a highly competitive industry.

Opus Bank in Irvine, Calif., which reported a third-quarter loss tied to credit issues, has elevated two lending officers to executive-level posts.

Heartland Financial in Dubuque, Iowa, is looking to raise $53.5 million through a public offering.

Consumer compliance was already an important issue for regulators who vet bank deals, but it is expected to move up on their priority list after Wells' phony-account saga. Banks that seek M&A approvals should make sure their cross-sale and incentives policies — along with those of their targets — are bulletproof.

The former chairman of the failed Premier Bank in Wilmette, Ill., was sentenced to five years in prison after he pleaded guilty to defrauding the Treasury Department's Troubled Asset Relief Program.

If modified, the cybersecurity standards in New York State are a step in the right direction to protect banks and consumers.

Disintermediation is so five years ago, according to Cross River Bank in New Jersey. It just raised $28 million from Silicon Valley. Now, it wants to enhance its compliance system so it can partner with "riskier" fintech startups and, effectively, enable the industry's so-called disruptors.

Cathay General Bancorp in Los Angeles has agreed to a community reinvestment plan tied to its deal to buy SinoPac Bancorp from Bank SinoPac in Taiwan.

BNC Bancorp in High Point, N.C., has rebranded its banking unit to reflect its expansion beyond the Tarheel State. The $7.5 billion-asset company said in a press release Tuesday that Bank of North Carolina is now BNC Bank.

Low-income urban youth methodically saved money when taught about goal-setting and given access to savings accounts and other basic banking tools.

While big banks have grown more comfortable lending to casinos based on reservations, financial firms have been slower to embrace other Native American enterprises.

OptimumBank Holdings in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has appointed a former Florida credit union CEO, John H. Clifford, to its board.

A small New Jersey bank that is a so-called rent-a-charter partner of more than a dozen marketplace lenders has raised millions of dollars from some household names in the venture capital world.

As more departments reach for a piece of the technology budget, banks need to improve coordination to make sure the money is spent efficiently.

Marva Smalls has gotten comfortable with being uncomfortable throughout her career, and she advises others to do the same, particularly aspiring leaders.

Sun Bancorp’s third-quarter profit declined, as the Mount Laurel, N.J., recorded almost $3 million of one-time gains a year ago. Sun’s expenses, however, continued to improve.

Heartland Financial in Dubuque, Iowa, has agreed to buy Founders Bancorp in San Luis Obispo, Calif.