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.

United Bankshares (UBSI) in Charleston, W. Va., posted higher quarterly earnings due largely to reduced expenses.

It should be a human resources department’s responsibility to spot poor leadership qualities, flawed compensation programs and workforces ill equipped to handle a crisis.

The $12.8 billion-asset company plans to offer $50 million of common stock and up to $100 million of perpetual preferred stock, it announced Monday.

Sendhil Mullainathan, the former head of research at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, speaks in an interview about when it's appropriate, and when it's not, for the government to try to influence consumer behavior.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. took action against 10 banks in September and released 13 from enforcement actions.

Chemical Financial Corp. (CHFC) in Midland, Mich., said Monday that its third-quarter earnings rose 14% from the same quarter last year, to $15 million, thanks largely to revenue gains generated by its acquisition of 21 Independent Bank (IBCP) branches in December 2012.

Industry observers are bracing to see whether the cost of international wire transfers will skyrocket once a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule goes into effect starting today.

Carrollton Bancorp in Lutherville, Md., is changing its name to Bay Bancorp.

LCNB Corp. (LCNB) in Lebanon, Ohio, has agreed to buy Eaton National Bank & Trust in Eaton, Ohio, for $24.8 million in cash.