Doral Financial in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has prevailed in its court battle with the territory's Treasury Department over a substantial tax refund.

Anchor Bancorp Wisconsin in Madison is planning to raise up to $8.3 million from an upcoming initial public offering.

Malvern Bancorp in Paoli, Pa., has entered into a formal written agreement with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

United Community Bancorp in Lawrenceburg, Ind., said on Friday that William Ritzmann has been appointed chairman of the company and its bank.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has reached a settlement with former executives at the failed LandMark Bank of Florida.

First Financial Bancorp in Cincinnati has launched a new division to cater to the growing demand for specialty business banking and named Brad Ringwald the division's president.

The third quarter had fewer deals compared to the second quarter, but three fundamental attributes of normalized M&A appeared: bigger players, shorter regulatory approvals times and interest from more buyers.

Three of the most powerful women in banking go beyond the balance sheet.

Defining your bank's limits on earnings and minimum capital requirements can help safeguard against the reckless pursuit of return on equity.

Thursday night's celebration of American Banker's Most Powerful Women in Banking turned into a call for action for companies to build a pipeline of female leaders. "If we stick to the current rate of turnover, it's going to take 75 years to reach parity," said outgoing HSBC USA chief Irene Dorner.

First Commonwealth Financial in Indiana, Pa., has acquired Thompson/McLay Insurance Associates.

Complete Financial Solutions in Spokane, Wash., has agreed to buy Northern Star Financial in Mankato, Minn.

The head of Key's charitable foundation is lauded at American Banker's Most Powerful Women in Banking Gala for her role in improving educational opportunities for low-income and minority students in Cleveland.

Kyle Waters and Andy Bower announced the creation of Loan Evaluation Services this week. The firm will provide independent loan portfolio reviews for community and regional banks that are planning to make acquisitions or have a need for third-party loan portfolio reviews.

Independent originators could be shut out from offering this product as there is no secondary market.

The Federal Reserve Board has published an 11-page guide for banks looking to acquire large rivals.

Smaller institutions are likely to report stable net interest margins, even as competition for the best credits remains fierce. Loan volume could suffer from a seasonal slowdown, while investors would be keen to track commentary on loan structure.

Community West Bancshares in Goleta, Calif., is continuing to find ways to buy back stock it issued through the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Veritex Holdings in Dallas could sell up to $40.4 million of its common stock as part of its initial public offering.

NewBridge Bancorp in Greensboro, N.C., has agreed to buy Premier Commercial Bank in Greensboro.