BancorpSouth (BXS) in Tupelo, Miss., is strengthening its insurance business in Texas.

First Niagara Financial (FNFG) in Buffalo, N.Y., didn't have to look far to find its next president and chief executive, even though the search process lasted nine months.

Flagstar Bancorp (FBC) has agreed to sell the majority of its mortgage-servicing rights but will retain the subservicing rights, the Troy, Mich., company said Wednesday.

Investors Bancorp (ISBC), in Short Hills, N.J., filed registration papers to dissolve its mutual holding company and convert to a fully stock-owned company.

MidCoast Community Bank's founder and former chief executive pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges of bank fraud and money laundering.

BNC Bancorp's deals to spend $48 million on two lenders with sizable levels of nonperforming assets show that strugglers can command stronger prices in markets where aggressive banks are under pressure to buy.

Low interest rates drove lending income and margins downward at community banks early in the year, but they benefited from the midyear spike in long-term rates more than they let on.

Timberland Bancorp (TSBK) in Hoquiam, Wash., will buy back its remaining Troubled Asset Relief Program shares for about $12.1 million.

Bank of Marin Bancorp (BMRC) in Novato, Calif., has named a new chairman.

BNC Bancorp (BNCN) in High Point, N.C., announced two deals Wednesday that would significantly boost its presence in its home state.

What we have seen from the bank regulatory agencies is an unsustainable proliferation of rules. Big banks are taking on water to keep up, while community banks are being swamped.

BB&T (BBT) in Winston-Salem, N.C., has added its top lawyer to its executive management team.

Joseph Lucarelli was elected by the $4.5 million-asset company's board to serve a one-year term starting Jan. 1, the company said in a regulatory filing Tuesday.

Keith Darcy, longtime head of the Ethics & Compliance Officer Association and former director of E-Trade Bank and New York National Bank, has joined Deloitte's compliance group as a senior advisor.

As branch traffic declines, community banks are considering how to enter new markets with products such as online and mobile banking.

PNC's decision to slim down and overhaul its branch network could inspire other banks to follow suit and finally start rethinking their expensive and outdated physical locations. American Banker editors discuss why most banks need to close down more branches, and why some regional and community banks remain committed to their existing networks.

Community banks' prospects will improve if they accept that the financial services industry is changing. They must re-examine strategies and business models, and experiment and improvise to exploit new opportunities.

Amalgamated Bank of Chicago has named David Knopp its next president.

Union First Market Bancshares (UBSH) in Richmond, Va., plans to remake its board and expand its executive team after acquiring StellarOne (STEL) in Charlottesville, Va.

LNB Bancorp (LNBB) in Lorain, Ohio, has sold $3.7 million of stock as part of a plan to exit the Troubled Asset Relief Program.