The consulting firm Promontory Financial Group has established an awards program to spotlight efforts by small financial firms to serve the underbanked.

Provident Financial Services (PFS) of Iselin, N.J., said Friday that it earned $17.4 million in the fourth quarter, up 4.2% from the same quarter a year prior, due largely to improved asset quality.

Kearny Financial Corp. (KRNY) in Fairfield, N.J., has agreed to buy Atlas Bank in Brooklyn, N.Y.

A big payment to a former executive and a decline in fee income hurt earnings at Brookline Bancorp (BRKL) in Boston last quarter.

Lakeland Bancorp (LBAI) in Oak Ridge, N.J., reported higher net income after buying Somerset Hills Bancorp.

The CenterState/First Southern in Florida deal shows how banks have to cut expenses, make acquisitions and then make more cuts to move ahead in the long run.

Sterling Financial (STSA) in Spokane, Wash., posted higher quarterly profit that was aided by recent acquisitions.

Valley National Bancorp (VLY) of Wayne, N.J., reported net income Thursday of $39.6 million for the fourth quarter, a 7.6% increase from a year earlier.

Thad Woodard is retiring as president and chief executive of the North Carolina Bankers Association.

First Citizens BancShares (FCNCA) in Raleigh, N.C., received an earnings boost from improved credit quality and a favorable adjustment to loss-share agreements with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) of Little Rock, Ark., has agreed to buy Summit Bancorp in Arkadelphia, Ark.

As operating costs rise, a growing number of community banks are following the lead of larger rivals by shuttering branches, though analysts hope the pace of closures will accelerate.

Beneficial Mutual Bancorp (BNCL) reported lower net income that still managed to meet Wall Street expectations.

Microsoft is scheduled to stop supporting Windows XP, the operating system inside most ATMs, on April 8. Diebold chief executive Andy Mattes weighs in on the impact to the industry.

The New York bank won $25,000 and two tickets to the big game being held nearby this Sunday because of its charity efforts -- and then donated it all to charity.

Central Pacific Financial (CPF) in Honolulu reported a big decline in fourth-quarter earnings as income from sales of residential mortgage loans and sales of foreclosed assets plunged.

First Interstate BancSystem (FIBK) in Billings, Mont., turned credit-quality improvements into a big increase in earnings last quarter.

Big banks have discovered that mobile banking is their best bet for combating deep consumer distrust and rampant turnover. Small banks can overcome their lock on mobile by playing up the strengths of their existing business model.

United Bankshares (UBSI) in Charleston, W.Va., saw earnings fall as fee income took a dive last quarter.

UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma will remain a spokesman for the Massachusetts bank, which summoned a minor league baseball exec from the bullpen to fill the open board seat.