A number of credit union and bank executives have been ignoring the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cyber Security, waiting for the federal government to issue more definitive guidance.

John A. Allison writes in his new book that he feared for years that predecessors of Wachovia or Bank of America would try and force BB&T to sell itself. In this excerpt, he explains how he kept the banking giants at bay. Part 5 of 5.

The Connecticut company just recaptured its deferred-tax asset, which padded third-quarter earnings. Still, some observers believe Patriot National's improved health, and presence in affluent markets, could lure suitors.

First Niagara Financial Group Inc. climbed as much as 4.6 percent, the best performance in the KBW Bank Index, after senior managers, including Chief Executive Officer Gary Crosby, bought shares of the lender this week.

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer's creative effort to give shareholders more power to nominate board candidates will be an uphill battle, but community banks are taking it seriously — and larger banks may ultimately have to do so, too.

Nonbank acquisitions require a certain level of expertise, John Allison writes in his new book. In this excerpt, he discusses how BB&T views the insurance business and why he stuck with subprime auto finance when others bailed. Part 4 of 5.

John Hairston will stay in the newly combined role, while Carl Chaney plans to retire on Dec. 31. Hancock has been pressed by Wall Street in recent years to get more aggressive cutting costs after buying Whitney Bank.

Royal Financial in Chicago has agreed to buy PNA Bank in Chicago.

Bank industry representatives initially panned the concept of the Postal Service offering retail banking products. But as the government official behind the idea has made clear that he is interested in collaboration with the private sector, attitudes have begun to change.

Iberiabank Corp. in Lafayette, La., was initially willing to pay up to $24 million more than what it eventually agreed to pay for Florida Bank Group in Tampa.

Transparency about the diversity of companies’ workforces can promote the hiring and advancement of women, while role models like Janet Yellen help pave the way for more female leaders.

First Artesia Bancshares in Artesia, N.M., has merged two of its banks.

Community banks, on average, increased the size of their loan portfolios by 15% in the third quarter from a year earlier, though the numbers reveal a slowdown from prior periods.

J. Thomas Wiley will become chief executive of the company's banking unit. The move could free up Joe Evans, the company's CEO, to focus on deploying capital, which could include more acquisitions.

Texas Capital Bancshares in Dallas plans to raise about $150 million by selling common stock.

BB&T successfully bought a number of thrifts in the aftermath of the S&L crisis. Retired BB&T CEO John Allison explains his company’s success while discussing how he sold deals to leaders of target institutions. Part 3 of 5.

BB&T's retired CEO has a new book, "The Leadership Crisis and the Free Market Cure." Allison, who now heads the Cato Institute, still has thoughts on banking to share — and criticism to sling. Here are some highlights.

Sturgis Bancorp in Sturgis, Mich., has agreed to buy West Michigan Savings Bank in Bangor.

BOK Financial in Tulsa, Okla., will close or relocate all of its branches inside grocery stores in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas in a move it says will reduce overhead by $7 million to $8 million a year.

Kelly King of BB&T is an M&A trailblazer, but he isn't doing so intentionally. In announcing plans to buy Susquehanna Bancshares, King said he believes more bankers are becoming more confident maneuvering the choppy regulatory environment.