Supporters of a modern replacement for a century-old community swimming pool in the hometown of Belmont Savings Bank had a fundraising crisis, and they are hoping a matching grant from the bank will save the project.

Regulators consider bankers' timing needs when reviewing deals, but it certainly isn't their top concern, advisers say. H&R Block and BofI are learning that the hard way after being told that their bank deal will not be approved this year.

Several banks, such as Woodforest National, operate extensive branch networks inside Wal-Mart stores. There are concerns that the retailer's new GoBank checking account could gut in-store branches' current business.

How have community banks fared with retaining market share in their traditional strongholds of rural areas and small towns? The latest FDIC Summary of Deposits shows their leads in those areas may be slowly slipping away for a host of competitive reasons.

Madison Bank of Maryland in Forest Hill plans to convert from a mutual thrift to a stock-owned institution. The thrift plans to raise about $24 million as part of its conversion, using the proceeds to fund lending and increase capital levels, according to a regulatory filing.

Former "American Idol" star Clay Aiken will face incumbent Renee Ellmers in a congressional debate hosted by the North Carolina Bankers Association.

H&R Block, for the second time in a year, is finding it challenging to get out of banking.

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The $7.8 billion-asset company disclosed in a regulatory filing Friday that it had sold performing mortgages with outstanding balances of roughly $193 million to First BanCorp, also in San Juan.

Valley Community Bank's biggest shareholder has gone public with his objection to the Pleasanton, Calif., bank's sale to FNB Bancorp in San Francisco.

BEO Bancorp in Heppner, Ore., has agreed to buy Bank Reale, in Pasco, Wash. A purchase price for the cash-and-stock deal was not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter.

Greer State Bank in Greer, S.C., has eliminated its chief banking officer position, according to a regulatory filing.

The Golden State is home to nearly a quarter of the banks on Sandler O'Neill's annual list of the top-performing small-cap institutions, a hint that the state could be returning to its pre-recession strength. Banks in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic also had strong performances.

National Australia Bank is looking to sell more than a quarter of its holdings in Great Western Bancorp as part of the Sioux Fall, S.D., company's planned initial public offering.

A federal judge has dismissed an FDIC lawsuit against directors and officers of a failed North Carolina bank. The ruling has big implications for future cases that seek to hold senior bank management accountable for financial crisis-era failures.

The Louisiana company agreed to buy Florida Bank Group in a deal that will allow it to enter Jacksonville, Tallahassee and Tampa. It is the latest deal for a bank that has been an aggressive acquirer this year.

Southside Bancshares in Tyler, Texas, is getting out of subprime auto lending.

Former President Bill Clinton will deliver the keynote address at the November event, which is expected have more than 5,000 participating students.

Pennant Management, a Wisconsin investment manager for community banks and retirement plans, sued a Florida lender for allegedly selling it more than $22.8 million in sham loans that the lender said were guaranteed by the government.

Examiners will not require community banks to adhere to new risk governance standards, but they are likely to expect community bank boards to incorporate the guidelines' fundamental principles into their oversight.