Faster lending, mobile app enhancements and seamless channel hopping are all priorities top bank tech executives have for the new year.

Jack Kopnisky of Sterling Bancorp in New York, which completed a major acquisition last year and has another in the works, is close to reaching his goal of creating a top earner. That effort, and the risks associated with it, make Kopnisky one of American Banker’s five community bankers to watch in 2015.

With Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. reserves erasing crisis-era losses, the agency is staring down a critical decision on how to implement a congressionally required increase in the insurance fund.

Investors who backed Broadway Financial's 2013 recapitalization are cashing out.

On at least three occasions, Michael Daly flexed his bargaining muscles in discussions with Hampden Bancorp. His tenacity led to a privately negotiated deal, a reduced exchange ratio and an amended employment agreement with Hampden's chief lending officer.

A judge has named Deerwood Bank winner of the bankruptcy auction for American Bank of St. Paul, in the first test of involuntary bankruptcy as a means of resolving trust-preferred debt.

John Poelker joined a bank in crisis when he agreed to lead Certus in April. His efforts to turn around a crisis-riddled South Carolina company make him one of American Banker's 2015 community bankers to watch.

Andrew Samuel left Susquehanna Bancshares, where he was in line to become CEO, to run the tiny Sunshine Bancorp in Florida. While Susquehanna recently agreed to sell itself to BB&T, Samuel has been working furiously to hire and expand at his new employer.

Mutual conversions soared this year as mutual thrift executives sought to raise capital at the behest of investment bankers and others. With many of the biggest mutuals having converted this year, there may be a drop-off in conversions in 2015.

Westbury Bancorp in West Bend, Wis., named a new president for the company and its bank subsidiary.

It isn't just payday lenders and money-services firms that are being ditched by banks lately. Community banks are getting cut off too.

The subsidiary of Chemung Financial in Elmira, N.Y., has sold its equity securities portfolio.

Dan Rollins' ability to have a BSA-related consent order removed and get two acquisitions back on track could embolden more big community banks to pursue deals next year.

A federal bankruptcy court has approved the sale of PNA Bank in Chicago.

Fairmount Bancorp in Baltimore seems poised to face a proxy battle next year from activist investor Joseph Stilwell.

As the real estate market ramps back up, lenders are looking for ways to diversify their portfolios, even if the returns are slim.

Kearny Financial in Fairfield, N.J., has withdrawn its application for a mutual-to-stock conversion.

BofI Holding in San Diego has agreed to buy $125 million in deposit accounts from a unit of First Marblehead.

Doral Bank's San Juan headquarters was raided by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation as part of a search for evidence related to "several ongoing investigations," a spokesman for the agency said.

Citizens National in Paintsville, Ky., has acquired Peoples Security Bancorp in Louisa, Ky.