Small banks and credit unions can get a leg up on their large competitors by using low-cost, low-maintenance checking accounts to win over financially underserved customers.

Pilgrim Bancorp. in Mount Pleasant, Texas, has agreed to buy North Central Texas Bancshares in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Ron Hermance, chairman and chief executive of Hudson City Bancorp in Paramus, N.J., has died.

In the banking world, Ron Hermance was known as a skillful leader who helped build Hudson City Bancorp into a $38 billion-asset company that largely avoided the credit implosions that doomed many other banks during the financial crisis.

National Bank of Commerce in Birmingham, Ala., has purchased a majority interest in CBI Holding Co.

Nope, it's not more money, at least not directly. The key to hiring a good loan officer, or retaining one, is said to be showing that your mortgage shop can close loans on time, act professionally and protect employees' reputations in the market.

CommunityOne Bancorp in Charlotte, N.C., has combined the roles of president and chief executive in an effort to trim operating expenses.

City National Bank of New Jersey has agreed to sell deposits and loans associated with a branch on New York's Long Island to Bethpage Federal Credit Union.

Private-equity firms, as investor-driven organizations, have an obligation to consider cashing out when top-performing bank stocks are doing well, according to James Lockhart, vice chairman and W.L. Ross & Co.

The American Association of Bank Directors recently hired policy veteran Rich Whiting as executive director, and he immediately helped weigh in on some new OCC standards that concerned the trade group.

Ben Franklin Financial in Arlington Heights, Ill., is the latest mutual to announce plans for a second-step conversions.

The head of the Independent Community Bankers of America says the government has gone too far demanding banks act like law enforcement.

Interest in a market for buying and selling nonguaranteed portions of SBA loans is slowly taking shape as a need for earning assets outweighs concerns over risk and underwriting costs.

Microbranches have their merits — but banks should be aware that changes in technology and customer preferences could render them obsolete.

Brookline Bancorp in Boston plans to raise $75 million by issuing debt.

If anybody deserves to tell a "Gee, my arms are tired" joke, it's Bob Barnes of Mainstreet Community Bank of Florida, who spent the month of August doing push-ups to raise money for a community group that provides food and shelter for people in need.

First Citizens Banc in Sandusky, Ohio, has agreed to buy TCNB Financial in Dayton, Ohio.

Citizens Financial Group in Providence, R.I., is expanding its banking unit that focuses on the technology sector.

Cape Bancorp in Cape May Courthouse, N.J., has agreed to buy Colonial Financial Services in Vineland, N.J.

NewDominion Bank in Charlotte, N.C., said Wednesday that its chief executive, C. John Hipp, plans to retire by the end of the year. He will be succeeded by Blaine Jackson, the bank's chief financial officer.