BofI Holding is looking to make more acquisitions and its leader says he doesn’t think accusations from a former employee are unlikely to hold up a deal, even though they’ve dragged down the stock price.

Banc of California in Irvine has agreed to sell its wholly owned investment adviser subsidiary, The Palisades Group.

The month of March produced a broad-based seasonal boost that propelled the Index of Banking Activity to its highest level since June, 2015. The IBA's 59.1 reading in March was buoyed by strong improvements in metrics that track loan applications and approvals and — for the first time in many months — a noticeable rise in the component that monitors banks' staffing levels. In all, 12 of the 16 components of the IBA improved on levels reported in the February survey, with most of the remainder steady to slightly lower. (Commercial loan rejections were the one exception: the decline in this component was driven mainly by an increase in rejections in the Midwest, where application growth was strongest.) In addition, only one component score — a 49.3 reading in the deposit-pricing indicator — failed to surpass the 50-point level indicative of expansionary activity in the industry. Improvements in overall business activity were evident across all geographic regions. Respondents in the Midwest reported the most dramatic gains in lending-related activities, while bankers in the South region were the most bullish on the question of hiring. In addition, survey participants in both the Midwest and South regions reported significant improvements in their markets' respective real estate and local business conditions.

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Banks have long struggled with how to better serve the underbanked and unbanked. Here's a roundup of some strategies that are working and some fresh ideas that are in the offing.

First Interstate BancSystem in Billings, Mont., announced its third deal in two years as it inched closer to $10 billion of assets.

Bancorp of New Jersey in Fort Lee has hired a former state regulator as its new chief executive.

In a more competitive-than-ever industry, sales activity is an important part of bankers' jobs, but it is not the only part.

The agency plans to reduce the period of heightened regulatory scrutiny to which de novo institutions are subjected to three years, down from the seven-year period established in the wake of the financial crisis.

Financial Institutions in Warsaw, N.Y., is facing a proxy battle from an activist investor intent on taking two board seats.

Wealth management revenue has been a bright spot on bank earnings for the last few years, but regulatory changes to the way advisers can charge for their services will likely dramatically change the business.

Amalgamated Bank in New York has recruited a former American Express executive to develop its online banking platform and has created a new position to oversee corporate philanthropy.

USAmeriBancorp in Clearwater, Fla., has completed a private placement to institutional investors of $45 million in subordinated notes.

In an interview, FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg said the agency will work with banking groups, state commissioners and others to help foster the growth of new banking charters.

State Bank Financial in Atlanta has agreed to buy NBG Bancorp in Athens, Ga.

Union Bankshares in Richmond, Va., has agreed to buy Old Dominion Capital Management in Charlottesville, Va.

DNB Financial in Downington, Pa., has agreed to buy East River Bank of Philadelphia.

The $1.3 billion-asset Westfield said in a press release Monday that it will pay $110 million, or $20.42 a share, in stock for the $800 million-asset Chicopee.

United Community Banks in Blairsville, Ga., has agreed to buy Tidelands Bancshares in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., for $2.2 million in cash, or 52 cents a share.

"In Northwest Arkansas there are a lot of banks with similar names," Chairman Jon Harrell said in a news release about the rebranding, which includes a new logo and signage. "We wanted a name that would stand out and at the same time it was important to us to not lose sight of our roots."

Several banks have recently purchased highly visible properties in strategically important markets, investing in real estate at a time when the industry is closing branches at a record pace. Low rates may be a factor, but many bankers are also trying to send a message to clients and prospects.