Two independent mortgage banks agreed to settlements in the past week with the Justice Department for failing to meet Federal Housing Administration guidelines. The cases are a warning to nonbank lenders that they need to beef up self-reporting of deficiencies, and they remind large banks about the legal risks associated with FHA lending.

Peoples Financial Services in Scranton, Pa., has bought a retirement planning operation.

Codorus Valley Bancorp in York, Pa., plans to sell $30 million of stock to fund its exit from the Small Business Lending Fund program.

BBCN Bancorp in Los Angeles has agreed to buy Wilshire Bancorp in Los Angeles.

The $641 million-asset mutual thrift promoted Scott Cote to chairman, according to a Friday news release.

The $3.2 billion-asset mutual thrift will close offices in Howland, Farmington, Hartland and East Millinocket, Maine. The proposed closings require regulatory approval.

California Bank & Trust in San Diego has given its chief financial officer the additional titles of president and chief operating officer.

The $2.5 billion-asset company will freeze pension benefits for the 10% of its workforce that still receive a pension.

First National Bank of Orwell in Vermont has named Bryan Young chief executive. Young, 38, will succeed his father, Mark Young, as CEO of the $56.1 million-asset bank beginning Jan. 1.

Banks face a growing risk of complacency given years of improved credit quality. They should periodically evaluate the status of loans and underlying collateral to make sure they proactively manage risk.

The $364 million-asset company named Steve Rownd to the positions, effective Jan. 1. Rownd will also be named president and CEO of FNB Bank.

The board of Pascack Bancorp in Waldrick, N.J., spent years debating whether to sell the company or remain independent.

Roy Barnes, a former Democratic governor of Georgia, and his brother have agreed to buy WestSide Bank in Hiram, Ga., for $3 million.

Attempts to sneak provisions into a final budget deal may be sold as helping community banks, but many of the measures really help big banks and undermine consumer protection.

Lake Sunapee Bank Group in Newport, N.H., has exited the Small Business Lending Fund.

The $3.8 billion-asset First Busey said in a press release Thursday that it will pay $210.7 million, or $17.24 a share, in stock for the $1.5 billion-asset Pulaski.

Athens Bancshares in Tennessee has decided to delist its stock from Nasdaq and deregister with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The $1 billion-asset Charter said in a press release Thursday that it will pay $58.8 million, or $20.50 a share for the $369 million-asset parent of Community Bank of the South.