The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. claims that reports of the impending death of community banks are greatly exaggerated. Historical data tells a different story.

New York Community Bancorp (NYCB) in Westbury reported lower quarterly earnings as mortgage-related income plummeted.

Banks looking to build productive, lean-staffed branches should ensure that their work culture rewards positive employee attitudes.

First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) in Cincinnati has agreed to buy Guernsey Bancorp in Worthington, Ohio.

The company had been looking for a deal for a few years and finally found one in OmniAmerican, a former credit union that converted to a stock-owned company in 2010.

John Poelker, who recently met with key investors, is using YouTube to appeal to clients who might have been spooked by executive ousters and reports of widespread financial excess at the Greenville, S.C., company.

BBVA Compass has leased space in the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce building for a loan production office.

City Holding (CHCO) in Charleston, W.Va., said Tuesday that it its first-quarter earnings rose 73% from the same period last year, to $13.8 million, as the company accelerated workouts of problem loans it inherited in two acquisitions.

Noninterest income seemed to stabilize some during the first quarter, though smaller banks are still struggling to see meaningful increases in fees.

Operation Choke Point, changing marijuana laws and increased anti-money laundering scrutiny are just a few of the governmental and regulatory factors affecting banks' relationships with certain customers these days. Now financial companies are under intense scrutiny over the payday lenders, check cashers, marijuana businesses and even individual customers that they do business with. American Banker editors discuss.

Hudson City Bancorp (HCBK) in Paramus, N.J., reported lower quarterly earnings as its planned sale to M&T Bank (MTB) still awaits regulatory approval.

Joseph Stilwell has found yet another bank to pressure.

Solera National Bancorp (SLRK) in Lakewood, Colo., reported a quarterly loss less than a month before it will face a pair of shareholder challenges at its annual meeting.

HomeStreet (HMST) in Seattle has filed to sell up to $125 million in securities.

Southside Bancshares (SBSI) in Tyler, Texas, has agreed to buy OmniAmerican Bancorp (OABC) in Fort Worth, Texas.

Capital City Bank Group (CCBG) in Tallahassee, Fla., enjoyed a trifecta last quarter: it lowered expenses, income taxes and its loan-loss provision.

First Landmark Bank and Midtown Bank & Trust have agreed to a merger of equals, the second deal involving Atlanta-area banks announced on Monday.

Commerce Union Bank in Springfield, Tenn., has agreed to buy Reliant Bank in Brentwood, Tenn.

Multiple bidders are the new normal in bankruptcy auctions of banks. Case in point is Banner Corp., which anticipates at least one competing offer for Idaho Banking in Boise. Some banks are increasingly letting an initial bidder bear the preparatory expense before swooping in with a higher price.

Linda Cox, a former comptroller of First South Bank in Spartanburg, S.C., committed suicide after being questioned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation about missing funds at the bank, the Greenville News reported on Saturday.