National Bank Holdings (NBHC) in Greenwood Village, Colo., has formed a division to specialize in government and nonprofit clients.

Severn Bancorp (SVBI) in Annapolis, Md., swung to large quarterly loss as it worked to restructure its balance sheet by selling off bad loans.

Great Southern Bancorp (GSBC) in Springfield, Mo., beat analysts' estimates in the third quarter by reducing expenses and improving credit quality.

FirstMerit Corp. (FMER) in Akron, Ohio, earned $40.7 million in the third quarter, up 16% from the same period a year ago, due largely to its recent acquisition of Citizens Republic Bancorp in Flint, Mich.

Foundations Bank in Pewaukee, Wis., has made it official with interim leader John Hazod.

The two cities join New York, L.A. and other cities in trying to force the banks that hold municipal deposits to make more loans in low-income neighborhoods. Some industry officials oppose them, while others welcome them.

Los Angeles-based Wilshire Bancorp (WIBC) said this week that it had a third-quarter profit of $11.3 million, largely due to steadily improving credit quality and net gains on loan sales.

Improved credit quality and steady loan yields helped Hanmi Financial Corp. (HAFC) post solid earnings in the third quarter.

Loan growth helped power BankUnited (BKU) in Miami Lakes, Fla., to a 9% rise in quarterly earnings.

Synovus Financial (SNV) reported a big increase in quarterly income, but missed estimates as interest income and mortgage banking revenue fell.

Northrim BanCorp (NRIM) in Anchorage, Alaska, has agreed to buy Alaska Pacific Bancshares (AKPB) in Juneau.

Heritage Oaks Bancorp (HEOP) in Paso Robles, Calif., has agreed to buy Mission Community Bancorp (MISN) in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Third-quarter earnings at Zions (ZION) more than tripled from a year earlier after the company bought back a series of preferred stock.

Pacific National Bank in Miami has found a buyer.

The cost to originate a home loan is skyrocketing as lenders try to comply with stricter rules to catch problem loans. Technology would better automate the loan process, but can small lenders justify the investment?

Northwest Bancshares (NWBI) in Warren, Pa., reported a 12% rise in quarterly earnings as its asset quality improved and its costs fell.

Bankers must resist the urge to obsess over the hassles of QM and other new rules, says Jeff Plagge, the new chairman of the American Bankers Association and CEO of Northwest Financial in Iowa. Doing so distracts them from adequately serving customers and contributing to economic growth, he says.

Arrow Financial (AROW) in Glens Falls, N.Y., attributed a dip in third-quarter profits to the continued low interest rate environment.

First Niagara Financial Group (FNFG) in Buffalo, N.Y., has promoted executive John Golding to senior director of small-business banking.

Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida (SBCF) is shifting to a more heavily stock-based payment structure for its directors.