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.

Metro Bancorp in Harrisburg, Pa., beat quarterly earnings estimates as its loan book posted strong growth.

Old Second National (OSBC) in Aurora, Ill., has been released from a 2011 consent order issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

Enforcement actions relating to anti-money laundering rules and the Bank Secrecy Act were a prominent theme in the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's monthly round-up of orders issued from late August through September.

Investors Bancorp (ISBC) in Short Hills, N.J., has added to its board a longtime New York banker with deep roots in Brooklyn.

SBT Bancorp (SBTB) in Simsbury, Conn., has hired David MacKenzie as its chief mortgage and consumer lending officer.

Multiples are stronger in historical terms than many bankers assume, buyers' stock prices are going up and banks need to get to $25 billion of assets to thrive, says David Olson of River Branch Holdings.

SunTrust still wants to lower its efficiency ratio to 60%, but a mortgage slowdown and legal costs tied to alleged lending violations is making that goal harder to achieve.

Northeastern banks First Niagara and People's United are reluctantly cutting rates to book more loans and, in some instances, turning business away.

F.N.B. Corp. (FNB) in Hermitage, Pa., beat earnings estimates on strong net interest income.