BancorpSouth has delayed the closing of two bank acquisitions after regulators took issue with the Tupelo, Miss., company's compliance programs.

Washington Trust in Westerly, R.I., rode gains in its lending portfolio and lower operating expenses to a higher second-quarter profit.

Arrow Financial (AROW) in Glens Falls, N.Y., posted higher quarterly earnings because of loan growth and an improved net interest margin.

Central Federal in Worthington, Ohio, raised roughly $12 million from a private placement of preferred stock.

Northwest Bancshares in Warren, Pa., saw its second-quarter profit decline due to the deterioration of its commercial loan portfolio and elevated expenses.

Recent calls in Congress to take a closer look at the quasi-governmental Farm Credit System and its regulator have pleased bankers, who want to bring attention to their complaints of unfair competition.

Peoples Bancorp (PEBK) in Newton, N.C., reported higher earnings in the second quarter than a year earlier thanks to a stronger loan portfolio.

Hampton Roads Bankshares has hired four lenders from Northwest Savings Bank in Baltimore to run its new commercial lending office there.

Regulators on Friday closed Eastside Commercial Bank in Conyers, Ga., the 13th institution to fail this year.

Mackinac Financial (MFNC) in Manistique, Mich., has agreed to buy Peninsula Financial in Ishpeming, Mich.

NewBridge Bancorp (NBBC) in Greensboro, N.C., has hired six commercial bankers to run its new middle-market banking group.

Regulators have ordered Fulton Financial (FULT) in Lancaster, Pa., to strengthen its Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering controls.

Consumer confidence is improving but uncertainty surrounding world events and gridlock in Washington continue to temper expectations for Stephen Steinour.

Solera National Bancorp (SLRK) continues to go through management changes less than a month after an activist took over the Lakewood, Colo., company's board.

First Horizon National (FHN) in Memphis, Tenn., nearly doubled profits last quarter thanks to lower expenses and credit-quality improvements.

Republic Bancorp (RBCAA) in Louisville, Ky., reported a slight bump in second-profits due to modest loan growth but results were tempered somewhat by a sharp drop in mortgage banking income.

A community group has succeeded in forcing additional scrutiny of Banc of California's (BANC) expansion plans.

Earnings at Associated Banc-Corp (ASBC) fell slightly in the second quarter as growth in commercial lending failed to offset a sharp decline in income from mortgage banking.

Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) in Columbus, Ohio, improved its bottom line as an increase in revenue offset higher noninterest expenses.

Internal documents reveal that the crackdown is targeting banks, not merchants and processors, because it requires less investigation into the facts. That should anger all Americans who care about due process and the rule of law, writes ex-FDIC Chairman Bill Isaac.