Californians are entering the fourth year of drought, forcing bankers to seriously consider the long-term implications for farmers and other industries. In some instances, banks are reviewing and changing underwriting practices to address risk.

CenterState Banks in Davenport, Fla., has agreed to buy a branch from the parent of SouthBank in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

M&T Bank in Buffalo, N.Y., reported an increase in its first-quarter profit on the strength of higher mortgage banking revenue, but its results fell well short of analysts’ estimates as loan growth failed to meet expectations.

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OFG Bancorp in San Juan, Puerto Rico, said it will record a $24 million provision tied to a loan participation it placed on nonaccrual status.

Coastal Financial and Prime Pacific Financial Services, each based in Snohomish County, Wash., have agreed to merge.

The California company is dealing with a pool of stressed energy loans it inherited from last year's purchase of CapitalSource. The pain shouldn't make the deal less appealing, but it is likely taking up more time than management may have expected.

Digital innovation has yet to coalesce around any one executive. Chief marketing officers are ideally positioned to fill the void, since they are the natural leaders in understanding the entire customer experience from origination and sales through delivery and measurement.

First Horizon National in Memphis, Tenn., swung to a first-quarter loss after it paid $212.5 million to settle an investigation into its pre-crisis mortgage dealings.

Home Bancshares in Conway, Ark., has bids out to buy three banks that, if successful, would add $2 billion in assets.

People's United Financial in Bridgeport, Conn., reported higher first-quarter profit on higher lending fees and gains on the sale of loans.

Sandy Spring Bancorp, in Olney, Md., reported an increase in quarterly profit because of an increase in mortgage revenue.

Hampton Roads Bankshares in Virginia Beach, Va., plans to merge its banks and change its name to Shore Financial.

Webster Financial in Waterbury, Conn., reported lower first-quarter profit as costs from adding personnel and an acquisition weighed on results.

Wintrust Financial in Rosemont, Ill., reported first-quarter earnings of $39.1 million, up 13% from a year earlier, as loans increased and mortgage revenue rose.

Home BancShares in Conway, Ark., reported higher first-quarter profit and assets after it acquired branches and loans from the failed Doral Bank in Puerto Rico.

PacWest Bancorp reported higher quarterly profit, as loan growth and lower expenses offset credit issues in the Los Angeles company's energy portfolio.

First Dakota National Bank in Yankton, S.D., has agreed to buy a branch from HF Financial in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Heartland Financial in Dubuque, Iowa, has agreed to buy Community Bancorp. of New Mexico in Santa Fe.

Some industry observers argue that bank consolidation is driven by economies of scale rather than by the regulatory burdens imposed under Dodd-Frank. But the two factors actually go hand in hand.