While sellers in urban centers are getting a lot of attention from acquirers, Southern Bancorp in Arkansas shows the upside of pursuing smaller deals in underserved rural markets.

Beach Community Bank, which recently added $100 million in capital, hired veteran banker Carl Chaney as its executive chairman.

The payments processor has pulled its submission to the FDIC to become a depository bank but says it plans to make a second attempt soon.

The leader of an Ohio mutual is urging his peers to follow the lead of credit unions by forming groups to share technology and collaborate on lending and deposit gathering.

Virginia National will set aside up to $950,000 to cover losses after ReliaMax, a firm that issues surety bonds for student loans, was placed into liquidation.

Northwest Bancshares in Pennsylvania, which built a reputation as an active acquirer, is taking a step back under Ronald Seiffert to evaluate ways to grow without M&A.

Aquesta Financial Holdings expects to record a post-tax gain of $1.7 million from the sale of its insurance business.

The deal is designed to improve capital ratios and reduce risk at the Seattle company.

Chris Furlow, who was a founding staff member at the Department of Homeland Security, is now the president and CEO of the Texas Bankers Association.

While there are many reasons consolidation has slowed in the Keystone State over recent years, several factors in play could lead to a resurgence in activity.

Union Bankshares in Virginia sold Shore Premier Finance, a business it inherited from a recent acquisition.

Peapack-Gladstone has agreed to buy Lassus Wherley & Associates, which has offices in New Jersey and Florida.

The Oakland company has hired Colleen Atkinson, a former manager at HSBC, to oversee its new professional banking business line.

Commercial real estate is their bread and butter, but many banks are scaling back in this vital loan category. Here’s why.

Nelnet’s planned bank would be an online enterprise focused on gathering deposits and making private student loans.

As branches evolve to become more education-oriented, banks are taking their cues from retailers, hotels and other service sectors.

Banc of California in Santa Ana will cut roughly 9% of its workforce as it looks to trim $15 million in expenses.

Spirit Community Bank would be the first new bank in North Carolina since 2009.

Sponsoring so-called pitch competitions helps lenders gain Community Reinvestment Act credit and gather deposits.

FNS Bancshares has agreed to buy Catoosa Bancshares in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., in all-cash deal.