Beneficial Bancorp in Philadelphia reported higher quarterly profit due to improving asset quality.

Sunshine Bancorp in Plant City, Fla., has agreed to buy Community Southern Holdings in Lakeland, Fla.

Banks stayed away from construction lending for years after it collapsed and contributed to the financial crisis. But low interest rates and other factors have gotten some developments off the ground, leading to construction lending's comeback.

The Massachusetts senator wants to induce more competition and diversity in the banking industry and improve the economic prospects of a majority of Americans. Both changes would benefit the financial services sector as a whole.

It's not enough for bank chiefs to delegate digital responsibilities to younger staffers. Only by understanding the mentality of tech-savvy customers can bank leaders develop smart strategic planning.

MutualFirst Financial in Muncie, Ind., is facing a proxy battle from two of its investors.

National Penn Bancshares in Allentown, Pa., has agreed to repurchase $75 million of its common stock held by Warburg Pincus.

An SEC fine of a Pennsylvania bank over an accounting matter from more than five years ago raises questions about how long community banks should be on guard about challenges to their conduct during the financial crisis.

The $6 billion-asset Pinnacle said in a press release Wednesday that it paid $75 million for a 30% stake in Bankers Healthcare Group in Southwest Ranches, Fla.

Flushing Financial in Lake Success, N.Y., has expanded its business banking operations to Manhattan.

Scammers are posing as lawyers from the New York Attorney General's office investigating consumers for overdue debts, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman warned Wednesday.

Hudson Valley Holding in Yonkers, N.Y., swung to a profit as it prepares to sell itself to Sterling Bancorp in Montebello, N.Y.

Cheviot Financial in Cincinnati will soon have a new chief executive.

Premier Bancshares in Omaha, Neb., has agreed to buy Farmers Bank and Trust in Nebraska City.

Two community banks on Tuesday disclosed plans to raise capital by selling subordinated debt.

Management training programs are slowly returning to smaller banks decades after belt-tightening led to their demise. Rigorous regulatory scrutiny, combined with a need for improved risk management and increased income, are spurring the comeback.

Lenders have purged bad loans and low interest rates are fueling new projects. Yet many bankers still view C&D loans as risky and are eager to stress that they will steer clear of the boom.

Premara Financial in Charlotte, N.C., has a new chief executive.

TowneBank in Hampton Roads, Va., reported a lower quarterly profit due to higher costs tied to its recent acquisitions.

For the 5th consecutive year, American Banker and Discover are proud to sponsor the Young Women's Leadership Award, a college scholarship given to graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated leadership potential and are the first generation in their family to attend college. We're looking for women who work in banking or finance to serve on the Young Women's Leadership Award Advisory Board.