Lakeland Financial in Warsaw, Ind., has appointed Lisa O'Neill as its new chief financial officer. She joins the $3.2 billion-asset company from First Manitowoc Bancorp in Manitowoc, Wis., where she has served as CFO since 2007.

Let's stop talking about what we don't like and start having more productive discussions on how elected representatives, regulators, consumer groups and industry leaders can work together to foster innovation in the short-term credit market that leads to better products for the nation's consumers.

Simmons First (SFNC) in Pine Bluff, Ark., has agreed to buy Delta Trust & Banking in Little Rock, Ark.

First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) in Cincinnati has promoted Brad Ringwald to president of corporate banking. Ringwald joined First Financial in 2006 and has been the president of its specialty finance group since the unit was established three years ago.

Solera National Bancorp (SLRK) is being challenged by a former director who wants to wrest control of the Lakewood, Colo., company's board.

Xenith Bankshares (XBXS) had been eager to enter the bustling Hampton Roads area. It plans to use Colonial Virginia, located close to the region, to make a beachhead.

Central Pacific Financial (CPF) in Honolulu will repurchase $125 million of common stock.

FFW Corp. in Wabash, Ind., has a $2.6 million loan chargeoff recovery.

Farmers Capital Bank (FFKT) in Frankfort, Ky., has received regulatory approval to repurchase some of its preferred stock.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency recently freed 11 banks from regulatory orders.

The Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. (AGM) plans to sell $75 million worth of preferred stock in a public offering.

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

Bill Cooper could step down as the Minnesota company's chief executive sometime next year, and two insiders appear to be the early favorites to replace him.

F&M Bank Corp. (FMBM) in Timberville, Va., has raised $12 million in a private placement.

Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida (SBCF) in Stuart has filed a shelf registration to issue up to $150 million in debt and securities.

Xenith Bankshares (XBKS) in Richmond, Va., has agreed to buy Colonial Virginia Bank in Gloucester, Va.

Alfred DelliBovi, the head of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and a lion of housing finance, submitted his resignation Thursday after 21 years as president.

Think M&A in Illinois is out of gas? Call AAA. Auto Club Group, one of the many AAA clubs across the country, has agreed to buy the $465 million-asset National Bancorp in Sycamore, Ill.

Big banks' huge settlements and other legal headaches have grabbed headlines for months, but now it's regional banks' turn. Several regionals have upped their estimated legal exposures as probes and lawsuits continue to surface.

The company runs a quarterly competition where the public votes for their favorite charity. The winning nonprofit receives $5,000.