Heritage Oaks Bancorp in Paso Robles, Calif., has purchased of $3 million worth of its trust-preferred securities.

Washington Trust has significantly increased its deposit market share in Rhode Island in the past five years, without buying any banks, and is casting its eye across the state's borders. We talk growth strategy with the company's CEO and its COO.

Cordia Bancorp in Midlothian, Va., has named O.R. "Ed" Barham president and chief executive of Bank of Virginia.

Frontline employees shape their own work environments as well as the experiences of their customers — as demonstrated by a trip to the much-dreaded Department of Motor Vehicles.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Vice Chairman Thomas Hoenig on Tuesday reiterated his plan for banks that stick to "traditional" banking models and maintain high capital ratios to receive eased regulatory requirements, but added an extra incentive to the mix.

Great Western Bancorp in Sioux Falls, S.D., has named former Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. vice chairman Andrew "Skip" Hove its new chairman.

An Astoria Financial investor is demanding that the Lake Success, N.Y., company explore a possible sale or other ways to increase shareholder value.

TriState Capital Holdings in Pittsburgh has promoted its bank's chief risk officer to bank president.

First Bancorp, OFG Bancorp and Popular Inc. have been trimming exposure to central government loans in recent years to limit their exposure to a financial crisis. Most still bank the island's municipalities, though they have strict underwriting and collateral to protect their interests.

F.N.B. Corp. in Pittsburgh has agreed to buy Metro Bancorp in Harrisburg, Pa.

Foundation Bank in Bellevue, Wash., has taken a $2.9 million charge tied to a fraudulent loan and plans to report a quarterly loss later this week.

Four Oaks Bank & Trust in Four Oaks, N.C., said its May 2011 enforcement action has been replaced with a more lenient agreement that requires it to address governance issues and other matters.

Anchorage Capital Group and Carlyle Group have priced their final offering of common stock in Central Pacific Financial in Honolulu.

MutualFirst Financial in Muncie, Ind., which is under pressure from an activist investor to sell itself, has agreed to buy the trust business of First Bank of Berne in Indiana.

Lakeland Bancorp in Oak Ridge, N.J., has agreed to buy Pascack Bancorp in Waldwick, N.J.

ASB Bancorp in Asheville, N.C., has received its second challenge in less than a month from an activist investor. The latest seeks a sale of the company.

First Foundation in Irvine, Calif., has begun an initial public offering to raise up to $100 million.

AJS Bancorp in Midlothian, Ill., has given its chairman and chief executive the additional title of chief financial officer.

Most real estate agents and home builders have heard about the new mortgage disclosures that take effect Oct. 1 but are light on the details, and many of the lenders they rely on lack sufficient understanding to help them.

A high percentage of loans to oil and gas firms are large and syndicated. As a result, more shared loans are becoming problematic for participating lenders.