Santander Bank, which recently changed its name from Sovereign Bank, casts Robert De Niro as an annoying moviegoer in an advertisement for its new checking account that offers a monthly bonus of $20.

The Securities and Exchange Commission recently lifted its ban on advertising private stock offerings, and it's just in time for community banks that are struggling to attract money from sophisticated investors to bolster capital and avoid selling out to other banks.

VantageSouth Bancshares (VSB) in Raleigh, N.C., reported an increase in its third-quarter profit on higher lending income, but still missed analysts' earnings projections.

First Financial Corp. (THFF) in Terre Haute, Ind., reported a 5% increase in third-quarter profit as its provision for loan losses decreased.

Park National Corp. (PRK) in Newark, Ohio, beat quarterly earnings estimates after its asset quality improved.

Baylake Corp. (BYLK) in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., has been approved to join the Nasdaq.

Provident New York Bancorp (PBNY) in Montebello, N.Y., reported strong earnings in the quarter that ended Sept. 30 thanks to loan growth and a major decrease in merger-related expenses.

Community banks have a proportionate disadvantage to taxpayer-subsidized megabanks as the crushing burden of regulation meant to stop the abuses of Wall Street rain down excessively on Main Street.

First Financial Holdings (SCBT) in Columbia, S.C., reported a 26% rise in quarterly profit after completing a transformative M&A deal.

First Busey (BUSE) in Champaign, Ill., posted a higher profit in the third quarter as credit quality improved to pre-recession norms.

Atlantic Coast Financial (ACFC) in Jacksonville, Fla., narrowed its losses during a quarter of management upheaval.

The Federal Reserve Board has lifted a regulatory order on First Community Bank in Glasgow, Mont.

M&A is time-consuming and expensive, and it’s especially painful for small banks like First Scottsdale, an aspiring consolidator in Arizona, when their deals fall apart.

Medieval heroes and oinking pigs are by no means typical features of banking apps. But financial institutions are beginning to add these and other characters as as gamification techniques take hold in the industry. The goal: make their apps more engaging and encourage consumers to pay greater attention to their money. Banks are also aiming to draw attention to new products to foster healthier living habits. Following is a peek at where banks are going with gamification.

The Small Business Administration is temporarily waiving fees on loans of $150,000 or less, and community bankers say it will encourage lenders and borrowers to pursue loans that they had shied away from in recent years.

If CSR efforts are allowed to fall by the wayside, it will be at the expense of customer trust and future growth.

JPMorgan Chase (JPM) made more loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration than any other bank in fiscal year 2013, while Wells Fargo was tops by dollar volume for the fifth consecutive year, according to new data from the SBA.

Heartland Financial (HTLF) in Dubuque, Iowa, missed Wall Street's quarterly earnings estimates after its loan-loss provision rose and revenue from loan sales fell.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp (BHLB) in Pittsfield, Mass., recorded a decline in quarterly earnings despite improvement in its interest margin.