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Kearny Financial in Fairfield, N.J., has withdrawn its application for a mutual-to-stock conversion.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

Deals and departures were common trends among bankers we highlighted as worth watching in 2014. In fact, only a few bankers managed to avoid major headlines in the past year.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Housing Finance Agency said Monday it has approved the merger of the Federal Home Loan banks of Des Moines and Seattle, giving approval to the first voluntary combination in the history of the system.

First Guaranty Bancshares had hoped to raise more than $60 million but a dip in oil prices spooked potential investors even though just 3% of the bank's loans involve energy companies.

First Midwest Bancorp in Itasca, Ill., will restructure its commercial banking group after a key executive retires.

Orient Bancorp. in San Francisco has a new president and chief executive.

A proposal to tighten membership requirements for Federal Home Loan Banks could hamper community lenders' ability to assist in affordable housing and community development programs.

Some community banks have entered into the booming energy market without taking the necessary precautions, making them vulnerable to a downturn in oil prices.

Regulators on Friday closed Northern Star Bank in Mankato, Minn., the 18th institution to fail this year.

Empire Bancorp in Islandia, N.Y., has raised $20 million in a private placement.

Federal bank regulators increased the asset-size thresholds for the definition of a "small bank" and "intermediate small bank" for certain bank exams on Friday.