Customers Bancorp and CMS called off their merger and are fighting over whether Customers owes a $1 million breakup fee. Emotions run high in these cases, but bank execs need to learn to avoid such distractions to protect long-term growth strategies, experts warn.

The American Bankers Association announced Wednesday that it will drop its request for emergency relief in pending litigation over the Volcker Rule, but declined to stop the suit entirely.

The company paid out billions to settle mortgage issue, cut jobs and shed a noncore business. Investors hope those moves will position SunTrust for a solid 2014.

RBS Citizens Financial Group in Providence, R.I., has appointed Tony Di lorio, a former chief financial officer for Deutsche Bank, to its board of directors.

President Barack Obama plans to nominate Maria Contreras-Sweet, founder of a Latino-owned community bank in Los Angeles, as the next head of the Small Business Administration, according to multiple news reports.

Fidelity Homestead Savings Bank in New Orleans has acquired regional mortgage lender NOLA Lending.

The chief risk officer of EverBank Financial (EVER) in Jacksonville, Fla., is stepping down.

With no more lines and far more banks to choose from, I want the one I select to handle my exceptional transactions exceptionally. I want to leave my bank knowing that my visit was and always will be worthwhile.

Great Southern Bancorp (GSBC) in Springfield, Mo., has agreed to buy two branches from Boulevard Bank in Neosho, Mo.

As competition for home loans heats up, lenders are moving further down the credit curve in order to win business.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland has freed United Community Financial (UCFC) from a six-month-old enforcement action.

Washington Federal (WAFD) in Seattle reported substantial deposit runoff tied to its purchase of 51 Bank of America (BAC) branches.

Heritage Oaks Bancorp (HEOP) in Paso Robles, Calif., disclosed that its chief financial officer is leaving after only a year at the company.

The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday announced the termination of an enforcement action levied in 2010 against First Southwest Bancorp of Alamosa, Colo.

The wife of a former Missouri State Representative has filed a lawsuit against Central Bank of Kansas City for alleged fraud.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has lifted a consent order against the recently recapitalized North Community Bank in Chicago.

Mortgage banking is like the little girl in the nursery rhyme: "When she was good, she was very, very good, and when she was bad, she was horrid."

Golden Pacific Bancorp in Sacramento, Calif., has hired Virginia A. Varela, a longtime banker and regulator, as chief executive.

Banks should brace for smaller mergers as technology vendors look to provide more one-stop shopping.

Washington Federal (WAFD) in Seattle posted higher quarterly earnings despite costs tied to a recent acquisition.