KeyCorp (KEY) in Cleveland reported higher fourth-quarter earnings from a year earlier after cutting expenses and booking more loans.

HomeTrust Bancshares (HTBI) in Asheville, N.C., has agreed to buy Jefferson Bancshares (JFBI) in Morristown, Tenn.

East West Bancorp (EWBC) in Pasadena, Calif., reported improved quarterly results after credit costs declined.

Texas Capital Bancshares (TCBI) is planning to sell 1.25 million shares of common stock in a public offering.

ServisFirst Bancshares in Birmingham, Ala., has launched a health care banking division.

BancorpSouth (BXS) in Tupelo, Miss., is making to most out of its return to bank acquisitions.

Leading indicators are still so-so, but normally bearish U.S. Bancorp CEO Richard Davis predicts more loan demand in the second half based on his conversations with customers, who he says want to "get things moving."

Cardinal Financial Corp. (CFNL) in McLean, Va., reported a sharp drop in quarterly profits as mortgage banking revenue plummeted.

Univest Corp. of Pennsylvania (UVSP) in Souderton reported lower fourth-quarter profit after an acquisition led to higher expenses.

Fulton Financial (FULT) in Lancaster, Pa., has added its name to the growing list of banks closing branches to cut costs.

Executives at Lead Bank in Garden City, Mo., are hopeful that offering small businesses more high-touch services, such as consulting, will provide an advantage in an area that has become fiercely competitive.

CenterState Banks (CSFL) in Davenport, Fla., plans to close 13% of its branches and fire 57 employees.

New auto loans climbed to an eight-year high in the first 10 months of 2013, according to the latest National Consumer Credit Trends Report from Equifax.

Community banks originated about 60% of the $1.5 billion of loans issued through the State Small Business Credit Initiative, a program created as part of the 2010 Jobs Act.

Kitsap Bank in Port Orchard, Wash., has hired a chief financial officer.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. filed a lawsuit Friday in U.S. District Court in Colorado against nine former executives and directors at United Western Bank, which failed in 2011.

The $5.6 billion-asset company’s fourth-quarter earnings rose 29% from a year earlier, to $15.3 million.

Fulton Financial (FULT) in Lancaster, Pa., reported a nearly 5% increase in fourth-quarter earnings, capping a year of loan growth and credit quality improvements.

First Midwest Bancorp (FMBI) in Itasca, Ill., posted higher earnings in the fourth quarter as noninterest expense fell and credit quality improved.

Bank CEOs, particularly those running small banks, shouldn't be judged on stock price alone. Board members and investors should also consider, among other things, liquidity, tangible book growth and oversight of mergers and acquisitions.