It may not quite live up to his Oscar-nominated role in "The Buddy Holly Story," but Gary Busey certainly made an impression on Jim Hughes in a new television ad for Unity Bank.

CommunityOne Bancorp entered 2015 with hopes of buying banks and nonbanks. Shortly after whiffing on several deals, the North Carolina company ended up selling itself to Capital Bank Financial.

Not only does evidence point to small banks escaping interchange restrictions — as Congress intended — but there are also signs smaller institutions are gaining retail market share because of the exemption.

WASHINGTON — Federal bank regulators unveiled an interim final rule Friday allowing highly rated community banks to qualify for a less-stringent 18-month examination cycle.

Malvern Bancorp in Paoli, Pa., has named Howard Kent chairman of the company and of the $727 million-asset Malvern Federal Savings Bank.

Fauquier Bankshares in Warrenton, Va., has named a North Carolina community banker as its new chief executive.

The decision in Yvanova v. New Century Mortgage Corp. has the potential to radically increase the number of lawsuits brought by borrowers, particularly on loans that were pooled into securitized trusts.

First Sound Bank in Seattle has recruited chief financial and administrative officers from rival banks.

Centrue Financial in Ottawa, Ill., has been released from an enforcement action that had prohibited the company from paying dividends without regulatory approval.

Advia Credit Union in Parchment, Mich., has agreed to buy Mid America Bank in Janesville, Wis. The $1.2 billion-asset Advia did not say what it will pay for the $84 million-asset Mid America.

There is a widening gap between the premiums paid for bigger institutions and those of smaller community banks. Economies of scale, scarcity value and earnings potential are more important than ever, and a return of larger acquirers has increased demand for bigger sellers.

Freedom Bank of Virginia in Fairfax has named to its board a consultant to a fund that recently invested in the bank.

Correcting misperceptions about banking, in addition to focusing on recruitment efforts, will help fix an apparent rupture in the talent pipeline.

Josh Hinkel, a partner with Bain & Co., discusses the rise of shareholder activism in financial services – and how "aggressive" investors are driving higher returns.

Lakeland Bancorp in Oak Ridge, N.J., has agreed to buy Harmony Bank in Jackson, N.J.

About 10% of midsize businesses say they want to develop a relationship with nonbank providers, such as marketplace lenders or business development companies, and even more are said to be considering switching banks.

Pathfinder Bancorp in Oswego, N.Y., has exited the Small Business Lending Fund program.

Several money managers increased their holdings in banking companies during the fourth quarter and added new investments in other banks.

The NCUA's plan to expand credit unions' business-lending powers generated more than 3,000 comment letters, mostly from bankers urging a "no" vote. But the agency's board is expected to stick by its original proposal.

There are millions of businesses deserving of loans that banks using traditional data resources might overlook due to their thin credit histories.