Though regulators gave community banks an exemption for balloon mortgages, they carved out such a narrow definition that some banks would be forced to stop making them.

Home equity lending remains miles away from growth, despite anecdotal evidence of a comeback and rising real estate prices that are fortifying loans already on the books.

A century and a half ago, the National Bank Act was born with a mission to promote a strong, vibrant national banking system. What it created was a dual banking system that has been meeting the changing needs of bank customers ever since.

The Treasury Department has begun an auction for its Troubled Asset Relief Program stake in nine more banks.

Huntington Bank (HBAN) is joining with Michigan State University to give fans of the school's football team a new way to show their pride.

Rheo Brouillard, a longtime director at Bankers' Bank Northeast, was tapped to succeed Ralph Shulansky, who died of a heart attack last month.

Michael Crowley Jr., the chief executive at Bank Mutual in Brown Deer, Wis., is stepping down after 45 years with the company.

Seacoast Commerce Bank in San Diego has named David Bartram its new chief operating officer.

Royal Bank of Scotland Group will signal next week it plans to sell a 15% to 25% stake in Citizens Financial Group in Providence, R.I., according to a person familiar with the plan.

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Lead Bank in Garden City, Mo., plans to expand the range of services it offers by becoming a state-chartered trust company.

Ken Lehman is buying outsized stakes in community banks, using his personal funds and often introducing himself to CEOs with a direct phone call.

The number of community banks under enforcement actions fell in January, as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. ended 16 orders and issued five on the month.

First South Bancorp in Washington, N.C., is purging a series of bad loans.

Bank of Commerce Holdings (BOCH) in Redding, Calif., has elected two directors after the death of its chairman.

Shareholders of NewBridge Bancorp (NBBC) have authorized a series of changes to the Greensboro, N.C., company's stock related to a recently completed $56 million capital raise.

United Community Banks in Blairsville, Ga., has amended its fourth-quarter and 2012 results to reflect a legal settlement.

First Sound Bank (FSWA) in Seattle has bought back its Troubled Asset Relief Program shares after raising nearly $8 million.

The $121 billion-asset company based in Birmingham, Ala., said Thursday that Grayson Hall, the company's chief executive, will succeed Earnest Deavenport Jr. as chairman when Davenport retires on May 16.

Thomas Petro discusses how proactive changes might have kept the Pennsylvania company from failing.