The Ohio Division of Financial Institutions closed Columbia Savings Bank in Cincinnati on Friday.

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Niche banks face a challenge when they consider acquisitions: they want to grow without undermining their specialized business models. First Business in Madison, Wis., worked around the problem by searching far and wide till it found a very similar bank in Kansas that wanted to sell.

Community banks that are looking to complete acquisitions are deciding to go public so they have a stronger currency to offer potential sellers. However, recent IPOs have not performed as well as earlier ones.

FNB Bancorp (FNBG) in South San Francisco is expanding into the East Bay with a deal to acquire Valley Community Bank in Pleasanton.

A recap of the informed opinions (and the discussions they generated) on BankThink this week.

First Business Financial Services (FBIZ) of Madison, Wis., said Friday that it is acquiring the parent company of Alterra Bank in Leawood, Kan., for roughly $30.1 million in cash and stock.

Harvard Illinois Bancorp (HARI) has extended its string of victories against activist investor Joseph Stilwell.

More community banks have begun offering SBA loans nationwide, a smart strategy given improving demand and double-digit premiums in the secondary loan market. Banks moving into far-flung territories have determined that they need highly targeted strategies to be successful — as well as methods for minimizing risk.

David Malone, former CEO of Community Bank in Pasadena, Calif., was appointed to BBCN's board, which expanded to 11 members.

The 2009 law that restricts a range of fees and practices has become the devil you know for the credit card industry.

When women reject or reframe career-limiting assumptions, they are able to get ahead at their jobs without sacrificing having a family.

Community 1st Bank (CFBN) of Auburn, Calif., shuffled its executive team on Thursday after re-appointing Robert C. Haydon, the bank president and chief executive officer, as board chairman.

First Savings Bank (FSFG) in Clarksville, Ind., is switching charters as part of a broader plan to expand its commercial banking business.

Banks have tried to change tellers' skill sets without changing the type of people they hire. They need to recruit sales-minded employees — and incentivize them with better pay and clearer career paths.

Hampton Roads Bankshares (HMPR) is launching a marine financing unit for its subsidiary Shore Bank.

Wellesley Bancorp (WEBK) in Wellesley, Mass., has appointed Ralph Letner as chief lending officer and senior vice president of its bank subsidiary.

American Banker's Index of Banking Activity posted its second-highest reading in March, buoyed by renewed consumer demand, better weather and banker optimism.

Eight community banks have transferred their shares to a new trading platform operated by OTC Markets Group in a bid to increase visibility for their stocks.

The First Bancorp (FNLC) in Damariscotta, Maine, announced that its chief executive is retiring early next year and will be replaced by its chief operating officer.