Almost two-thirds of small businesses in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's region that sought credit received some form of financing, according to a poll conducted by the bank during the second quarter.

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This year's drought could cause many farmers to default on ag loans, particularly those tied to livestock. For banks with high concentrations of ag loans, the drought poses the first major credit challenge since the financial crisis.

Ginnie Mae is considering raising minimum net-worth requirements for issuers of its mortgage-backed securities after being deluged with applications from small mortgage banks. Disruptions in the mortgage market prompted the rush.

A key long-term certificate-of-deposit rate has reached a historic low after falling below 1%.

Two banks that are majority-owned by Piedmont Community Bank Holdings in Raleigh, N.C., have agreed to merge.

Eight banks still have more than $2 billion in loans covered by FDIC loss-sharing agreements, according to data compiled by FIG Partners. Collectively, the FDIC is covering a percentage of losses on $39 billion of loans at those banks. Here are the banks with the largest amount of covered loans at June 30.

Their regulator has achieved for them by administrative fiat what they have been unable to accomplish in Congress.

Credit unions have found another way around the federal cap on business lending. Bankers are livid.

Pacific Mercantile Bancorp in Costa Mesa, Calif., will exit the wholesale mortgage business.

Sandler O'Neill & Partners LP, the 24-year-old investment bank that focuses on financial clients, fired about 20 people in units including trading and deal advisory, said people with direct knowledge of the decisions.

Julius Baer Group Ltd., the Swiss money manager established in 1890, agreed to pay about 860 million Swiss francs ($880 million) for Bank of America Corp.'s Merrill Lynch wealth management business outside the U.S.

First Financial Northwest (FFNW), a company under fire from activist shareholders and regulators, will replace the chief executive of its banking unit next month and has made another important management change.

First National Community Bancorp (FNCB) has finally caught up on its financial reports for 2011 — now on to 2012.

Serial dealmaker Jay Sidhu is at it again, agreeing to buy the New York thrift CMS Bancorp for $20.8 million. Sidhu is paying a premium, an investor in both banks says, but Sidhu denies it.

As expiration dates near for FDIC loss-sharing agreements inked in 2008, more failed bank buyers are looking to unload loans before the coverage runs out. As a result, they face growing pressure to book new loans to replace the ones they are trying to run off.

Loan demand is soft and competition for borrowers is intense, creating tension between building portfolios and sustaining yields. Some banks have posted leaps in volume just to tread water in profitability.

The Lansing, Mich., company has turned to court to try and recapitalize itself. The move would leave all existing stakeholders with a 53% equity stake in the company. Capitol, meanwhile, is still searching for an investor to take the other 47%.

FNBNY Bancorp has hired John F. Stewart, a former president of Citibank New York, as CEO of First National Bank of New York. Stella Mendes will be the bank's president.

Customers Bancorp in Wyomissing, Pa., struck its second deal in two months with an agreement to buy CMS Bancorp in White Plains, N.Y. Customers, led by Jay Sidhu, would expand its presence in Westchester County.