A two-tiered system of regulation could encourage small banks to maintain their relationship-based business model and prevent big banks from using insured deposits to conduct risky activities.

Home BancShares in Conway, Ark., has found another opportunity in the failure of Doral Bank.

Wintrust Financial in Rosemont, Ill., has announced its second acquisition in four days.

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 from social media platforms.

First Financial Bankshares in Abilene, Texas, has agreed to buy FBC Bancshares in Conroe, Texas.

The bill would require written contract amendments, signed by the lender, for most loans. Legislators took up the issue after a judge in the state sided with a borrower's claim of having an oral agreement from Bank of America to modify a mortgage.

As the industry's recovery boosts hopes of new-bank activity, some are already focused on what the greater stability could mean for the embattled industrial loan company charter.

CenterState Bank used April Fools' Day to unveil a fake #GreedTogether campaign that mocks Starbucks, McDonald's and the banking industry, promising ridiculous cash-back rewards and clothing printed with pictures of cash.

The $5 billion-asset company said in a press release Tuesday that Gail Ball recently served as head of the payment studies group at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency appointed Richard Taft to be its next deputy comptroller for credit risk.

Millennials may be a critical market segment for some banks, but the people now in their 20s and 30s also tend to be low-balance, transitory accountholders. It may make more sense for banks to focus their marketing dollars on the ex-slackers known as Gen X instead.

In-store bankers are experts in finding creative ways to catch potential customers' attention. That's a skill that every modern bank employee needs to hone.

Community Banker University will provide courses on topics ranging from wealth management and call reports to information technology and compliance. The platform will use a variety of channels such as in-person training and webinars.

Carolina Bank Holdings in Greensboro, N.C., has raised $15.1 million through a private placement of convertible preferred stock.

CommunityOne Bancorp in Charlotte, N.C., has agreed to buy a branch in Lenoir, N.C., from CertusBank.

Delmarva, the parent of the $192 million-asset 1880 Bank, will pay $8 million in cash for the $133 million-asset Easton.

Atlantic Coast Financial in Jacksonville, Fla., has been released from an enforcement action that required it to improve its capital ratios.

The $317 million-asset State Bank said in a press release Tuesday that it will sell the Yuma, Ariz., branch — along with $17 million in deposits and $18 million in loans — for roughly $750,000.

The sweeping reforms passed in 2010 didn't bring community banks to the brink of extinction. Rather, their numbers have dwindled because of the impact of economies of scale and dormant de novo banking activity.

Sun Bancorp in Mount Laurel, N.J., has decided to sell another branch and consolidate nine others as part of the ongoing streamlining of its retail network.