IMGCAP(1)]

The unprecedented accommodative interest rate environment has spurred banks to offer long-term loans at very low rates of return, and if the cost of funds goes up — especially if it goes up more dramatically than expected — it could put depository institutions in a tough position.

Sometimes it's for the best to end a complicated relationship. At least that's the view of some bankers who have negotiated early terminations of their FDIC loss-sharing agreements.

Meta Financial Group in Sioux Falls, S.D., has promoted Cindy Smith to the newly created position of head of technology and operations.

First Guaranty Bancshares in Hammond, La., has decided to again test the market for an IPO. The $1.4 billion-asset company in December postponed a stock offering that would have raised around $65 million, as concerns mounted about the impact the slide in oil prices would have on the bank.

Evans Bancorp in Hamburg, N.Y., said that its chief financial officer has left to pursue other interests.

American Banker readers share their views on the most pressing banking topics of the week. Comments are excerpted from reader response sections of AmericanBanker.com articles and our social media platforms.

Puget Sound Bank in Bellevue, Wash., is preparing to form a holding company.

Incommons Bank in Mexia, Texas, has agreed to buy two branches from Allegiance Bancshares in Houston.

Florida overturned a ban on credit card surcharges on the grounds that it violates merchants' free speech. Some lawyers doubt that this unusual strategy has legs, but it has worked in a surprising number of courts.

EnerBank USA in Salt Lake City has chosen Charlie Knadler to succeed Louise Kelly as president and chief executive after her retirement next month.

National Bank Holdings in Greenwood Village, Colo., has filed an application to convert NBH Bank from a national association to a Colorado state-charted bank.

KeyCorp’s biggest deal since Beth Mooney became CEO would make it the 13th largest U.S. commercial bank if approved, and a proposal from Virgin Money's Jayne-Anne Gadhia could prompt the U.K. to peg bank exec bonuses to gender diversity. Also: Barclays' Barbara Byrne, KKR's Suzanne Donohoe and JPM's Eileen Serra.

The CFPB is evaluating whether it should take legal action against the Minnesota company for how it handles overdraft protection. The move comes as TCF takes steps to become less dependent on services charges for fee revenue.

Beth Mooney at Key and Joseph Ficalora at New York Community Bancorp recently upset shareholders with big acquisitions. Industry observers believe investors should slowly warm up to deals as a strategic alternative to generous dividends and share buybacks.

As oil and gas prices keep sliding, banks with large energy loan books are doing what they can to manage ever-increasing risk. It's not just about reducing exposure; many are also working closely with oil, gas and other energy clients to help them raise capital or boost cash flow. Here's a sampling what bankers said on third-quarter earnings calls about the state of their energy books and what, in some cases, they are doing to prevent clients from defaulting on their loans.

TCF Financial faces a potential lawsuit from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over the way the Wayzata, Minn., company charges overdraft fees.

WSB Bancshares in Wellington, Texas, has agreed to buy XIT Bancshares in Littlefield, Texas.

CNB Bancshares in Sevierville, Tenn., plans to buy National Bank of Tennessee, after the Newport, Tenn., bank's holding company files for bankruptcy.

The chief executive of First Capital Bancorp in Glen Allen, Va., plans to resign, about a month after the company agreed to sell itself.