Drafting internal honor codes, and having employees pledge to follow them, could be a good first step to reversing negative opinions about banking.

Acquirers are starting to look more closely at a seller’s commitment to cybersecurity to avoid reputational and operational risk.

Royal Financial in Chicago has agreed to buy Park Bancorp in Chicago.

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The $22 billion-asset Winstrust said in a press release Thursday that it will pay $30 million in cash for the parent of the $125 million-asset Foundations Bank.

First Business Financial Services in Madison, Wis., said it has hired Edward Sloane Jr. to be its next chief financial officer.

Firstrust Bank has signed a marketing deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, even though the NBA team plays in an arena emblazoned with the name of another bank — and will until 2024.

Metropolitan Commercial Bank in New York has named Dale Fredston, a former general counsel at Sterling Bancorp in Montebello, N.Y., to its board of directors.

Peter Humphrey, who stepped down as Financial Institutions’ CEO in 2012, said he supports a push by activist investor Clover Partners to force the company to find a buyer. Humphrey left the company’s board in 2014.

Four Oaks Fincorp in Four Oaks, N.C., has refinanced $11.5 million in subordinated debt.

The physical branch network is not dead, but to ensure its viability banks need to get serious about trimming it down and combining branches with digital channels.

Nine former officers and directors accused of hiding problems at Superior Bank in Birmingham, Ala., will pay more than $1 million in penalties as part of settlements with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

BankUnited of Miami Lakes, Fla., has exited the retail mortgage origination channel. It originated loans through its retail banking branches in Florida and New York.

American National Bankshares in Danville, Va., has named Cathy Liles its chief accounting officer.

Middlesex Savings Bank in Natick, Mass., has promoted a senior banker to chief commercial credit officer.

There is a growing belief that reserves for energy loans should represent 5% of a bank's exposure to the sector. Three banks have already announced plans to move in that direction, prompting speculation as to which other lenders will be next.

The opportunity for banks from the dramatic growth in deposits goes beyond just funding loans.

Codorus Valley Bancorp in York, Pa., will soon have a new leader for its bank.

Having shored up capital following the financial crisis, many banks are flush with cash and in search of ways to put it to use. One option for banks that did sale-leasebacks in the past is to reacquire their branches.

Valley National Bank in Wayne, N.J., has a new chief administrative officer.