Community banks are likely to look at trimming more costs in 2013 as investors insist on improved efficiency.

Southern Bancorp in Arkadelphia, Ark., has hired a sitting state legislator to become its chief executive.

PNC Bank and Charter One Bank have each named new regional presidents for Illinois.

Donna Goodrich, new chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, promises to represent banks of all sizes — not just bigger ones like BB&T — and says FHLBs could be pivotal to housing reform.

The elimination of a requirement that ATMs have physical placards notifying users of any fees should end a wave of litigation against banks and credit unions.

Mortgage loans bolstered the Bank of South Carolina in the fourth quarter.

Royal Business Bank in Los Angeles has agreed to acquire Los Angeles National Bank in Buena Park, Calif.

Washington Federal, a $13.3 billion-asset thrift, said Thursday that it will provide $250 million over the coming five years for community development in Oregon.

Many Hurricane Sandy-damaged businesses are back in business with one big caveat: they still can't accept credit or debit cards. That's put a focus on new payments technologies able to withstand natural disasters.

North Jersey Community Bancorp has taken on a new identity.

Enterprise Financial in St. Louis, Mo., has fully exited the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Severn Bank & Trust in Annapolis, Md., has turned to a 35-year banking veteran to be its chief lending officer.

The Federal Reserve Board has lifted a memorandum of understanding against First M&F (FMFC) in Kosciusko, Miss.

Too often, branch employees simply manage a transaction, when they should be focused on engaging or educating the customer to make a lasting impression.

Securities regulators have charged three executives of a failed bank in Virginia with deceiving investors about the health of its loan portfolio at the apex of the financial crisis.

Hanmi Financial (HAFC) has hired an investment bank to help it explore options that could include the sale of the Korean-American bank.

Hanmi Financial Corp. (HAFC), the second-largest U.S. bank catering to Korean-Americans, is looking for a buyer and hired DelMorgan & Co. to advise on a sale, said three people with knowledge of the matter.

Intermountain Community Bancorp (IMCB) of Sandpoint, Idaho, is now trading on Nasdaq.

Accounting-related gains are dwindling for many acquirers of failed or troubled banks. Their alternatives include cutting costs — or buying again.

Center Bancorp hopes it can get business referrals from the partnership, providing more evidence that banks are getting creative to generate revenue.