First Bank (FRBA) in Hamilton, N.J., has hired a former American Express manager as chief operating officer.

Heritage Oaks (HEOP) in Paso Robles, Calif., has hired a new chief financial officer.

Astoria Financial (AF) in Lake Success, N.Y., is planning to open its first full-service branch in Manhattan.

First Citizens Banc (FCZA) in Sandusky, Ohio, will close three branches to cut costs.

Community banks and credit unions are often viewed as being behind the curve in technology, but these tech efforts—either in place or in development—show that some smaller institutions can be every bit as cutting edge as the big guys.

BankUnited (BKU) in Miami Lakes, Fla., has hired a former insurance agency executive to oversee its retail operations in Florida.

Comptroller of the Currency Thomas Curry signals regulators are considering more Community Reinvestment Act changes as advocates say the progress to date is too timid.

The Florida company's initial backers made a lot of money from a 2009 government-backed deal. Still, BankUnited's PE backers say the final sale of their stake in the resurrected lender is bittersweet.

1st Capital Bank (FISB) in Monterey, Calif., has hired Michael Winiarski as its new chief financial officer.

Financial firms should consider this type of rebrand if they are facing reputational issues, find their existing name is too limiting or want to convey a new image following a merger or acquisition.

The Federal Reserve Board has lifted enforcement actions against four financial companies.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has lifted a regulatory enforcement action against First Security Group (FSGI) unit FSGBank.

Sun Home Loans in New Jersey named Theresa Trainum as its senior vice president and chief operating officer.

The Michigan company is buying Nortwestern Bancorp, fleshing out a major part of its franchise map. Though Northwestern's loan portfolio has been steadily shrinking, Chemical executives expect to generate double-digit loan growth from the seller's markets.

There is optimism that the Small Business Administration will be allowed to approve a larger volume of SBA loans in fiscal year 2015 compared to previous years. Bankers are especially supportive of plans to continue waiving fees for smaller 7(a) loans.

Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania (RBPAA) in Narbeth has agreed to sell nearly $14 million in stock through private placements.

Bank lending to small businesses reached post-recession record highs in February, according to the latest Biz2Credit Small Business Lending Index.

Meridian Interstate Bancorp (EBSB) in East Boston, Mass., is planning a second-step conversion.

FBC Mortgage, a unit of the investment bank Sterne Agee Group, is seeking loan referral partnerships with community banks. In a recent deal it also hired HomeBanc's mortgage personnel.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp (BHLB) in Pittsfield, Mass., has terminated all of its interest rate swaps associated with Federal Home Loan Bank advances through the end of last year.