Bank managers can motivate their teams to make sales without forcing them to pounce on customers the moment they walk in the door.

Banner Corp. in Walla Walla, Wash., has lowered its fourth-quarter profit due to an adjustment to the its provision for income taxes.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. issued five consent orders in December, according to the agency's most recent summary of enforcement actions.

Three recent deals involving midsize sellers have gone far reversing regional bankers' fears of M&A. Still, the real evidence of progress must involve seeing those deals close.

Peoples Community National Bank in Bremen, Ga., has changed its name and logo.

Kentucky First Federal Bancorp is merging its two banks.

Opus Bank in Irvine, Calif., has received regulatory approval to form a broker-dealer subsidiary that will expand its merchant banking capabilities.

BB&T in Winston-Salem, N.C., has received regulatory approval to buy Citigroup's remaining branches in Texas.

CertusBank in Greenville, S.C., lost nearly $70 million last year.

Old National Bancorp in Evansville, Ind., has agreed to sell a total of 17 branches in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio to First Mid-Illinois Bancshares and MainSource Financial Group.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has withdrawn its agreement to buy Mackinac Savings Bank in Boynton Beach, Fla., and may instead try to open a credit union.

Investors Bancorp in Short Hills, N.J., reported higher quarterly income thanks to a combination of acquisitions and organic growth.

Puppy Bowl fans, keep your TVs turned to Animal Planet on Sunday. FirstBank's new ad campaign was made with you in mind — sort of.

Cost-cutting efforts that once aided earnings hit a wall in the fourth quarter as noninterest expenses – particularly in compliance and tech – exceeded forecasts. Banks are still talking about expense control, but the results highlight the pressure to produce more revenue.

MB Financial in Chicago reported a sharp rise in quarterly earnings in its first full quarter following the acquisition of Taylor Capital.

National Bank Holdings in Greenwood Village, Colo., has finally returned to the acquisition game, by agreeing to buy Pine River Bank in Bayfield, Colo.

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 and the blogosphere.

Great Western Bancorp in Sioux Falls, S.D., reported lower profit in its first quarter since completing its initial public offering.

The Bancorp in Wilmington, Del., reported a quarterly loss as it racked up higher expenses to resolving anti-money laundering issues.

Community & Southern Holdings in Atlanta has agreed to buy Community Business Bank in Cumming, Ga.