Commercial and retail banking customers in some cases are being marginalized from the financial system, making de-risking a pressing social-policy issue, a Bank of America official said at a Clearing House conference.

First South Bancorp in Washington, N.C., will close three branches as part of a larger branch-restructuring plan.

The New York Department of Financial Services' letter indicating potential cyber rules are prompting concerns that the state's plans could lead to more stringent measures throughout the industry.

The private equity firm founded by Eugene Ludwig has sold about 6% of its stake in Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida for $7.3 million.

The trade group is calling for increased scrutiny of tech companies that are increasingly encroaching on banks' turf, but Georgia banker Dan Blanton says banks also need to be thinking about ways to team up with these new players in payments and lending — or figuring out how to beat them at their own game.

Entegra Financial in Franklin, N.C., has adopted a plan to preserve the value of about $12.2 million deferred tax assets.

Trustmark in Jackson, Miss., has named Granville Tate Jr. its top legal eagle.

Private-equity investors in Opus Bank in Irvine, Calif., are cashing in some of their chips.

A joint venture formed by a regional credit union trade group and a loan servicer has a simple mission: to help small credit unions that lack expertise in SBA lending jump into the booming 7(a) market.

Farmers Capital Bank in Frankfort, Ky., has hired a business lawyer as chief operating officer.

City Holding in Charleston, W.Va., will be looking to name a new chairman, after Philip McLaughlin said he will resign at the end of the year.

Bankwell Financial Group in New Canaan, Conn., said chief operating officer Gail E. D. Brathwaite will resign from the company on Dec. 11. She has agreed to continue working with the bank as a consultant through June 30.

Community banks are embracing branch innovations to deliver a more personalized experience to customers, and differentiate themselves from larger competitors.

KeyCorp and New York Community Bancorp are among a number of buyers pledging to aggressively cut costs at acquired banks. There are plenty of ways to go about it, but acquirers risk cutting too deeply in the effort to appease wary investors.

Coastal Banking in Beaufort, S.C., has redeemed stock that it originally issued as part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program, after it obtained a $10 million loan.

BNC Bancorp in High Point, N.C., has agreed to buy a local rival, High Point Bank Corp., for $141.3 million.

Parkway Bancorp in Harwood Heights, Ill., no longer plans to buy Park Bancorp in Chicago.

Heartland BancCorp in Gahanna, Ohio, has raised $5.4 million in a private placement.

Calvin B. Taylor Bankshares in Berlin, Md., has named professionals from the hospitality and accounting industries to its board.

WSFS Financial in Wilmington, Del., has hired Kevin Thompson as chief financial officer. He succeeds Steve Fowl, who in the first quarter became CFO of Seacoast Banking in Stuart, Fla.