De novo activity has remained at a trickle and the reason is investing in a new bank just isn't attractive as it used to be.

The $350 million-asset Pacific Commerce said in a press release Thursday that it will pay $10.50 a share in cash and stock for the $211 million-asset ProAmerica.

The $3.4 billion-asset holding company for Five Star Bank received a letter on Wednesday from Clover Partners' managing director, Johnny Guerry, saying management has made the wrong decision on two recent deals. Clover owns about 5.2% of Financial Institutions.

TriState Capital Holdings in Pittsburgh has agreed to buy asset management firm Killen Group in Berwyn, Pa., for between $30 million to $35 million in cash, based on conditions tied to the asset manager's cash flow.

Ramamurthi has transformed a 123-year-old institution with one branch serving a dusty Kansas town into a seedbed for disruptive financial technology — not to mention a wildly profitable generator of fee income.

TowneBank in Suffolk, Va., has agreed to buy Monarch Financial Holdings in Chesapeake, Va., for $220.6 million in stock.

Now is not the time for the Federal Housing Administration — which has stayed strong amid turmoil — to reduce its market share.

Hanmi Financial in Los Angeles has withdrawn its proposal to merge with BBCN Bancorp. Hanmi said in a press release Thursday that its decision follows BBCN's agreement to buy Wilshire Bancorp.

First Bancorp in Southern Pines, N.C., has agreed to buy Bankingpoint, an insurance agency in Sanford, N.C.

Under the direction of Richard Holbrook, Eastern Bank has prepared itself for the next 200 years by embracing a culture innovation, adding scale through acquisitions and advocating for the less fortunate in its community. It's an unusual formula, but it has worked and that's why he is one of American Banker's three Community Bankers of the Year for 2015.

The banking industry had mixed opinions of the Fed's decision to boost rates. Most believe 25 basis points will do little to move the needle financially, but they are apprehensive about the impact more increases will have on deposits, lending and credit quality. Here is a sampling of what bankers have said in recent days.

The $933-million asset institution said in a press release Tuesday that the technology, provided by Louisville-based R.C. Giltner Services, will enable consumer and small-business customers to complete the loan application process in minutes.

Bank officials say they are ready for rising rates; disagree on how much the initial increase would help or hurt lending and the economy; and predict more rate increases next year.

HomeStreet in Seattle has bought a branch in Dayton, Wash., from Banner Corp. in Walla Walla, Wash.

TotalBank in Miami has returned Jorge Rossell to the position of chief executive, after Luis de la Aguilera departed to take the same position at U.S. Century Bank in Doral, Fla.

Opus Bank in Irvine, Calif., has created a formal division for lending to municipal governments and has promoted executive Debbie McLeod to lead the venture.

Fearless forecasts from BankThink's stable of industry veterans, experts and critics.

The $467 million-asset mutual thrift appointed Patricia Stetler to the role this week.

The $5.6 billion-asset multibank holding company hired Fontaine to replace Ed Hooks, who has been its counsel since 1992 and who will retire at the end of the year.

Customers Bancorp in Wyomissing, Pa., has agreed to buy the disbursements business of Higher One Holdings in New Haven, Conn.