Sierra Bancorp (BSRR) in Porterville, Calif., has agreed to buy Santa Clara Valley Bank (SCVE) in Santa Paula, Calif.

Home BancShares (HOMB) in Conway, Ark., got a big boost last quarter from a recent acquisition.

People's United (PBCT) in Bridgeport, Conn., has started a payments firm in partnership with Vantiv in a move that aided the company's quarterly results.

Sandy Spring Bancorp's profits fell short of expectations in the second quarter as revenue from mortgage banking plummeted and litigation costs rose.

The ongoing search for expense cuts continues, as investors wonder why regional banks such as KeyCorp, Fifth Third, Webster Financial and M&T aren't cutting more and faster.

Aided by gains from a recent acquisition, Simmons First National (SFN) in Pine Bluff, Ark., reported a $9.9 million profit in the second quarter, a 51% increase from the same period last year.

First National Bank of Southern California in Riverside and First Mountain Bank (FMBP) in Big Bear Lake, Calif., have terminated their planned merger.

Regulatory constraints make it hard for banks to offer payday and other short-term loans, so why not refer those potential customers to credit unions who can? Some banks -- including Bank of America, TD and South State -- have decided this is a good strategy and helped start a credit union in South Carolina to do the job.

First Interstate BancSystem (FIBK) in Billings, Mont., will close eight branches after it acquires Mountain West Financial (MTWF) in Helena, Mont.

LNB Bancorp (LNBB) in Lorain, Ohio, has hired a new chief financial officer.

Trust-preferred creditors have forced two indebted bank holding companies into involuntary bankruptcy this summer. Secured lenders may soon follow their lead and start foreclosing on bank stock collateral.

Webster Financial (WBS) in Waterbury, Conn., reported higher quarterly earnings but missed its earnings targets as mortgage-banking fees declined more than expected.

First National Bank of Green Forest in Arkansas has chosen a new name but kept it in the family, so to speak. The $347 million-asset bank will rebrand itself as Anstaff Bank, a blend of the names of its two founding families, Anderson and Stafford.

Cardinal Financial (CFNL) in Tysons Corner, Va., blamed a 14% drop in profits on acquisition-related expenses.

Guaranty Bancorp (GBNK) in Denver has bought Cherry Hills Investment Advisors in Greenwood Village, Colo.

Bank of the Carolinas in Mocksville, N.C., has raised $46 million through a private placement. The $428 million-asset company said that it sold about 458 million shares of newly issued common stock at 10 cents each to unnamed institutional and accredited investors.

Farmers Bank & Trust in Magnolia, Ark., has agreed to acquire the 1st Bank of Texarkana, a $309 million-asset bank located just over the state line in Texas.

Community Trust Bancorp (CTBI) in Pikeville, Ky., said Wednesday that its second-quarter earnings climbed 2% from the same period last year, to $12.2 million, due to improved loan quality and lower overhead.

Vantage Bancorp in San Antonio has agreed to buy Medina Bankshares in D'Hanis, Texas.

A community group opposes Banc of California's plans to buy 20 branches, saying management isn't being open about plans to serve low-income and minority customers. The bank says it’s all a misunderstanding. Still, the issue shows why banks must foster good relations with powerful advocacy groups.