Aided by strong loan growth and improved asset quality, Hanmi Financial (HAFC) in Los Angeles said Tuesday that its first-quarter profits increased 10% from the same time last year, to $11 million.

Republic First Bancorp (FRBK) in Philadelphia has raised $45 million through a private placement.

First Commonwealth Financial (FCF) in Indiana, Pa., reported higher quarterly profit because of reduced loan-loss provisions and lower operating costs.

Union First Market Bankshares (UBSH) in Richmond, Va., reported in a dip in quarterly profit because of costs tied to its purchase of StellarOne in Charlottesville, Va.

UMB Financial (UMBF) in Kansas City, Mo., reported lower quarterly results that largely reflected merger-related expenses.

Community banks need a steady flow of prospects. A partnership with a successful retail concept virtually guarantees constant customer traffic.

BancorpSouth (BXS) in Tupelo, Miss., reported higher quarterly profit fueled by acquisitions and improved operating performance.

Heritage Financial (HBOS) in Albany, Ga., has agreed to buy Alarion Financial Services in Ocala, Fla.

NewBridge Bancorp (NBBC) in Greensboro, N.C., is planning to retool its retail banking operations in a move that will eliminate 5% of its work force.

Community Bank Shares of Indiana (CBIN) in New Albany has agreed to buy First Financial Service (FFKY) in Elizabethtown, Ky.

Bank of Hawaii (BOH) increased earnings thanks to stronger returns from a growing asset base and other factors.

Peoples Bancorp (PEBO) in Marietta, Ohio, has agreed to buy North Akron Savings Bank in Ohio. Peoples said in a press release Monday that it will pay about $20.1 million in cash and stock for the $147 million-asset North Akron Savings.

Capital Bank Financial (CBF) in Coral Gables, Fla., nearly doubled earnings in the first quarter thanks to asset quality improvements.

First Defiance Financial (FDEF) in Defiance, Ohio, isn't going to buy First Community Bank in Columbus, Ohio, after all.

Arrow Financial Corporation (AROW) in Glens Falls, N.Y., said Monday that its first-quarter earnings climbed nearly 3% from the same period last year, to $5.3 million, as its loan portfolio continued to expand and asset quality remained strong.

The Portland, Ore., company aquired Sterling Financial last week. Though it created a $22 billion-asset regional player in the Pacific Northwest, CEO Ray Davis says the bank can keep its identify as a community bank.

Chemical Financial Corp. (CHFC) in Midland, Mich., said Monday that its first-quarter net income rose 5% from a year earlier, to $13.8 million, thanks largely to a double-digit increase in loans and improved credit quality.

SunTrust's efficiency decline in the first quarter overshadowed a 16% profit increase, underscoring how shareholders and others are thoroughly scrutinizing bank spending in a low-growth era.

Independent Bank (IBCP) in Ionia, Mich., attributed a significant plunge in quarterly profits to a slump in mortgage refinancing activity.

Aquesta Financial Holdings (AQFH) in Cornelius, N.C., reported higher earnings that benefited from loan growth.