A new federal rule issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development on housing discrimination will likely make it harder for banks to prevail in fair-lending disputes.

The stress of margin compression, combined with the need to generate additional income to maintain investors' return on equity hurdles, is driving more and more community banks into riskier activities.

CEO Hugh Potts says the Mississippi company's sale to Renasant will help investors recoup 75% of 2006 value.

Karen Mills is stepping down as the head of the Small Business Administration. On her watch the agency supported $106 billion of loans to small businesses, including a record $30.5 billion in fiscal year 2011.

Losses at Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin (ABCW) in Madison narrowed slightly last quarter as its credit quality improved.

United Community Banks in Blairsville, Ga., has renewed its contract with Fiserv and added the fintech company's debit card services.

Commerce Bancshares in Kansas City, Mo., has promoted John Kemper to president and chief operating officer. The $22.2 billion-asset company said Friday that Kemper succeeds his father, David, who remains its chairman and chief executive.

Flagstar Bancorp (FBC) has set aside $161 million to cover lawsuits over its mortgage-underwriting practices.

As the New York company books more loans, it is also relying less on mortgage-backed securities.

Kathleen Craig, a Michigan community banker and mother of two, has created a mobile app that teaches children to save.

First Northern Bancorp (FNRN) of Dixon, Calif., is nearly halfway out of the Treasury Department's Small Business Lending Fund.

The Federal Reserve issued an enforcement action against a Montana bank holding company and lifted one from the parent of a recovering Texas bank. Both moves mirror actions by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency toward the companies' banking units.

Smaller banks cannot afford to support high-density branch networks as economic challenges persist.

Colonial American Bank wants to move its headquarters and switch its state charter to New Jersey from Pennsylvania.

NUVO Bank in Springfield, Mass. Plans to raise up to $5 million in capital.

The story of Barings speaks to another era, but also to banking's eternal vulnerabilities.

Fourth-quarter interest income and margins rose at Park Sterling (PSTB) in Charlotte, N.C., after an acquisition that doubled its assets.

The company has removed 'North Jersey' from its name and is seeking capital for possible acquisitions. Analysts meanwhile believe New York makes sense for expansion.

Jerry Von Rohr, the former chief executive of Reliance Bank in St. Louis, is suing for salary and benefits he says the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. unfairly prevented him from receiving.

Carver Bancorp (CARV) in New York ended a drought by posted a profitable fiscal third quarter.