Alamogordo Financial Corp. (ALMG) in Alamogordo, N.M., has agreed to pay more money to purchase Bank 1440 (BFFO) in Phoenix.

Scrapping the "call-center-as-a-machine" model and the "customer-as-widget" mentality will allow organizations to make real progress in the battle for customer experience.

Sun Bancorp (SNBC) in Vineland, N.J., has selected its next chief executive.

Hilltop Holdings (HTH) in Dallas has finally reached an agreement to buy the remaining shares in SWS Group (SWS) that it does not already own.

The effects of the financial crisis are still being seen in the behavior of credit card lenders and borrowers, a new report suggests. Lenders have lowered risk-taking and rates, but consumers are carrying lighter debt loads.

The Los Angeles companies said Tuesday that the Federal Reserve Board has approved the $2.3 billion deal.

Charles M. Williams, co-chief executive of CertusBank, has quit the Greenville, S.C., company amid allegations of gross mismanagement.

Hancock Holding (HBHC) in Gulfport, Miss., has agreed to sell its property and casualty and group benefits lines of business to AssuredPartners in Lake Mary, Fla.

First Federal and Bay View are combining similar sized institutions that have complementary infrastructure, earnings and products. Though small, the deal could serve as a model for mutuals interested in keeping their charter and culture.

Ten auto repossession companies will stop claiming vehicles on behalf of title-loan companies under agreements with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta has appointed Bank of Georgetown Chairman Michael Fitzgerald to its board of directors.

Coconut Grove Bank in Miami has appointed Donald Putnam chief lending officer.

This "product" is weakened in the customers' mind when interacting with a living, breathing banker inevitably involves fending off sales pitches.

NewBridge Bancorp (NBBC) in Greensboro, N.C., has completed its redemption of preferred stock tied to the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

QCR Holdings (QCRH) in Moline, Ill., has redeemed more preferred stock it issued to the Treasury Department under the Small Business Lending Fund.

Bankwell Financial Group (BWFG) in New Canaan, Conn., has agreed to buy Quinnipiac Bank & Trust in Hamden, Conn.

Peoples Financial Services in Scranton, Pa., will begin trading on the Nasdaq on April 2.

The president and chief executive of Town & Country Bank and Trust in Bardstown, Ky., is reportedly stepping down.

The Federal Home Loan banks' Office of Finance said members are borrowing more, yet net income for the system fell from the previous year.

Aquesta Bank (AQFH) in Cornelius, N.C., has formed a holding company.