A new proposal by the FDIC could further discourage the use of noncore deposits, including those facilitated by deposit brokers and listing services and even certain reciprocal instruments not subject to the brokered-fund penalty.

Meta Financial Group in Sioux Falls, S.D., has agreed to buy Fort Knox Financial Services, a software firm that helps independent tax firms process refund transfers.

CoBiz Financial in Denver has added the owner, chairman and chief executive of the Colorado Rockies baseball franchise to its board.

The $625 million-asset company said in a press release Thursday that Greg Remus will become its CEO on Oct. 1. He will succeed Ray Lipman, who will remain chairman.

Washington Federal in Seattle reported higher quarterly profit due to gains from the sale of foreclosed properties and certain investments.

M&T Bank in Buffalo, N.Y., reported higher quarterly profit that reflected increased fees and higher net interest income.

PacWest Bancorp, the parent of Pacific Western Bank in Los Angeles, reported earnings of $85.1 million in the second quarter, up 16% from the prior quarter.

Peoples Bancorp in Ohio wants to encourage cross-selling but limits the use of employee incentive payments to make it happen. Instead, Peoples is trying to build a corporate culture in which employees understand all of its products and want to help their colleagues sell them.

BancFirst in Oklahoma City has agreed to buy CSB Bancshares in Yukon, Okla.

BCB Bancorp has sold $2.4 million of preferred stock in a private placement.

WASHINGTON — The House passed a bill Tuesday that could ease the regulatory burden on community and regional banks with mortgage servicing businesses.

Meta Financial Group in Sioux Falls, S.D., agreed to sell $3.1 million of common stock to a group of existing investors and reached a separate agreement to issue prepaid cards for a business partner.

Pave, a marketplace lender, has partnered with Cross River Bank of Teaneck, N.J., to help it expand its online, short-term loan product nationwide.

Commerce Bancshares in Kansas City, Mo., reported higher second-quarter profit, citing the appreciation of inflation-protected securities and higher loan interest.

Signature Bank in New York has partnered with Financial Software Solutions to expand the products and services that it offers bankruptcy trustees.

Prairie Community Bank in Marengo, Ill., has raised $2.48 million in a private placement of its preferred stock.

Clients of many community banks in Illinois can apply for short-term loans as lawmakers grapple over issuing paychecks while the state has no budget.

Sunshine Financial in Tallahassee, Fla., has asked for permission to switch to a state bank charter from a federal thrift charter.

Piper Jaffray has agreed to buy River Branch Holdings, a Chicago investment bank that focuses on financial institutions.

Colorado state regulators on Friday closed the $31.7 million-asset Premier Bank in Denver.