Central Federal (CFBK) has restructured a planned capital raise and reached a deal with the Treasury Department that would help it exit the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

More banks and business owners would tap the U.S. Small Business Administration's loan guarantee programs if the SBA would streamline the application process, M&T Bank (MTB) Chairman and Chief Executive Robert Wilmers said Thursday.

Bharat Masrani is betting on branches at a time when many others are questioning their value. He explains why an aggressive U.S. expansion strategy — by acquisition and internal growth — makes sense for the Canadian-owned TD Bank.

Pennsylvania's banking regulator has freed Metro Bank in Harrisburg, Pa., from a two-year-old enforcement order resulting from violations to the Bank Secrecy Act.

In what would be its first acquisition in its 11-year history, Westfield Bancorp in Westfield Center, Ohio, is buying Western Reserve Bancorp in nearby Medina for about $18 million in cash.

Two years after postponing its planned conversion to a 100% stock-owned company, Northfield Bancorp, a mutual holding company in Avenel, N.J., is finally ready to take that second step.

Mercantile Bank Corporation (MBWM) in Grand Rapids, Mich., has completed its exit from the Troubled Asset Relief program by repurchasing the $10.5 million of stock that was still held by the Treasury Department.

Fox Chase Bancorp (FXCB) in Hatboro, Pa., is planning to restructure its balance sheet this quarter in an effort to better position itself for potential changes in interest rates and improve its net interest income.

There were more deals in May worth at least $50 million than in any month in well over a year, but market volatility could slow activity down again.

Three years after arriving, CEO Chris Bauer has helped Anchor survive by reducing costs and shrinking the Madison, Wis., company's assets. The thrift remains adequately capitalized, but the company still needs a $250 million lifeline.

Ignoring state appraisal laws may subject bank employees or third-party service providers to fines or even criminal penalties. National banks relying on federal preemption for appraisal laws should take another look at that assumption in light of Dodd-Frank.

Pegasus Bank in Dallas said Wednesday that it had raised $3.5 million in a stock sale and that it is using the funds to bolster its capital ratios.

Post Oak Bank in Houston is looking to raise roughly $20 million through a stock sale and could use at least a portion of the proceeds to make its first-ever acquisition.

Third Federal Savings & Loan Association in Cleveland has promoted Chief Retail Officer Meredith S. Weil to the position of chief operating officer, effective July 6.

The banking industry's image is about as awful as it's ever been. But what needs to be done by whom, and at what cost, to fix it? Editor at Large Barb Rehm has some ideas.

Recent proxy fights illustrate how the high-stakes contests are getting ever more expensive for bankers and insurgents alike.

Bad times are driving a large majority of banks to rethink their operating models, a KPMG survey says. Wealth management and technology are priorities, branches may have to be turned into marketing stores, and M&A is still back burner.

A Kansas banking company that last week raised fresh capital to fuel its growth has struck a deal that would more than double its size.

BNC Bancorp has no immediate plans to exit the program, despite recently raising $73 million from a private placement. CEO Swope Montgomery believes BNC's acquisitions will more than offset the current 5% borrowing rate for the Tarp funds.

When a California bank took a former employee to court over his insulting statements on the Internet, an appellate court said his speech was protected from prosecution.