The company recently created a collateralized-debt obligation backed by bank debt, bringing to mind the types of structured investments that plagued smaller banks a few years ago. This time, StoneCastle will hold all the credit risk, instead of selling it off to banks. The CDOs are backed by relatively straightforward sub debt rather than hybrid securities.

The government's aggressive (and unsuccessful) prosecution of tiny Abacus Federal Savings Bank stands as one of the oddest episodes of post-crisis era.

Equity Bancshares in Wichita, Kan., is planning to raise up to $36 million through an initial public offering.

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The New York company took investors on a roller coaster ride over a dozen years, with issues that included a CEO's death, another leader's ambitious M&A strategy, and an ill-timed effort to upgrade outdated technology.

Whether it's regulation, cyber threats, vendor backlog or just plain inertia, U.S. banks still lag their overseas counterparts when it comes to mobile adoption.

The $815 million-asset company said in a press release Friday that it will close locations in Ilwaco and Ferndale in western Washington.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp in Pittsfield, Mass., has agreed to buy a unit from Parke Bancorp in Washington Township, N.J., that focuses on Small Business Administration loans.

Sandy Spring Bancorp in Olney, Md., has appointed executives from the technology and legal industries to newly created seats on its board.

Great Western Bancorp in Sioux Falls, S.D., reported higher quarterly profit on loan growth and improved efficiency.

Webster Financial in Waterbury, Conn., has promoted its head of commercial banking to president of Webster Bank and its holding company.

United Bankshares in Charleston, W.Va., recorded profit growth in the third quarter on higher average earning assets.

California’s Richmond Community Foundation will pursue a new social impact bond vehicle with a $3 million revenue bond private placement it hopes to close next month with the local Mechanics Bank.

Bank of America in Charlotte, N.C., is selling 23 branches in West Coast states. The bank also plans to sell a total of $1.2 billion in deposits and $821,000 in loans to TriCo Bancshares in Chico, Calif.; Bank of Commerce Holdings in Redding, Calif.; and Cascade Bancorp in Bend, Ore.

Spencer Savings Bank and Southbridge Savings Bank in Massachusetts have agreed to merge in a combination of mutual thrifts in the Worcester, Mass., area.

MB Financial in Chicago has agreed to buy an asset management firm.

Opus Bank in Irvine, Calif., has promoted Jennifer Simmons to chief operating officer and appointed her to the executive committee.

Women who own small businesses are happier with their banking experiences than their male counterparts are, according to a study by J.D. Power released Thursday.

American Bank in Corpus Christi, Texas, will promote two executives next year, after longtime chairman and chief executive Al Jones retires.

Mercantile Bank in Grand Rapids, Mich., plans to close five branches to cut costs. The $2.9 billion-asset company said in a press release Wednesday that it plans to close the branches in the first quarter.