The CFPB and other agencies are expected to take a hammer to banks' lucrative overdraft fee business, saying that it is a form of short-term credit akin to payday loans. Some banks see the writing on the wall and have made changes, but others have lagged.

Flushing Financial in Lake Success, N.Y., reported higher quarterly earnings driven by securities gains and improved asset quality.

FirstMerit in Akron, Ohio, reported higher quarterly profit that met Wall Street expectations despite margin pressure.

South State Corp. in Columbia, S.C., struggled to increase earnings but held expenses in check after a major acquisition.

Board members at smaller banks tend to dismiss the importance of the annual self-assessment process. But as board governance attracts growing regulatory scrutiny, directors should embrace the chance to identify areas for improvement.

The mortgage industry has to prepare for a new breed of salesperson in millennials - that's if they can get them interested in the first place.

S&T Bancorp in Indiana, Pa., reported higher quarterly profit that benefited from loan growth and improved asset quality.

Cheviot Financial in Cincinnati has agreed to add a director recommended by activist investor Seidman Group.

First Guaranty Bancshares in Hammond, La., has filed for a $75 million initial public offering.

Bank of Hawaii in Honolulu reported higher quarterly profit due to strong loan growth.

The agency is now using Fincen guidance that was designed to make banks and credit unions more comfortable with the pot industry's risks. Such actions are encouraging more banks — but still not many — to do business with this emerging industry.

Iberiabank is excited to add equipment finance and an SBA lending platform when it buys Old Florida Bancshares. The deal also gives the Louisiana company its first branches in Orlando.

Profits rose at Bridge Bancorp in Bridgehampton, N.Y., on strong loan growth. The $2.2 billion-asset reported net income of $4.9 million in the third quarter, up 56% from a year earlier.

Independent Bank in Ionia, Mich., reported lower quarterly earnings due to margin pressure and a significantly higher tax expense.

Opus Bank in Irvine, Calif., missed third-quarter earnings estimates, largely due to a steep increase in its loan loss provision.

Lakeland Financial in Warsaw, Ind., rode double-digit loan growth and credit-quality improvements to an 18% increase in profits.

Community banks have been steadily increasing their dealing in auto finance, an area with great potential and significant risk for unexperienced lenders.

Triumph Bancorp in Dallas is looking to raise $123 million through an initial public offering.

Hudson Valley Holding Corp. (HVB), a New York City-area lender with about $3.2 billion in assets, is exploring a sale, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Iberiabank in Lafayette, La., has agreed to acquire Old Florida Bancshares in Orlando.