Republic Bancorp booked a $28 million bargain purchase gain on its purchase of the failed Tennessee Commerce Bank. The company is now looking for other deals as it searches for ways to augment revenues it will lose from ending a controversial tax.

A Kent, Wash., credit union joins peers from California and Michigan in opposing legislation that would allow non-profits to more than double their commercial lending.

Park National (PRK) in Newark, Ohio, announced Friday that it will repay the $100 million it received from the government's Troubled Asset Relief Program by issuing new debt and reducing its short-term investments.

Western Alliance Bancorp.'s (WAL) shares were up more than 3% Friday after the Phoenix company reported that its first-quarter income more than tripled from a year ago.

Glacier Bancorp (GBCI) in Kalispell, Mont., is off to a strong start in 2012 and its chief executive is optimistic that its performance will only improve as the company streamlines its operating structure and continues to shed problem assets.

Lower expenses and better credit quality led National Penn Bancshares of Boyertown, Pa., reporting a 62% increase, to $25.3 million, year over year in its first quarter earnings.

City National (CYN) in Los Angeles is eyeing acquisitions of both banks and asset management firms and its chief executive has no preference for one over the other.

Supporters of allowing more business lending by credit unions get nods from a consumer group and a group of conservatives and free-market organizations. Meanwhile, a Michigan credit union joins banks in opposing the measure.

Associated Banc-Corp (ASBC) of Green Bay, Wis., is coming off its most profitable quarter since before the financial crisis.

Simmons First National (SFNC) of Pine Bluff, Ark., reported a first-quarter profit of $6.4 million, up roughly 25% from a year earlier as its loan-loss provision fell.

Before the financial crisis, having a 1% ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets was the baseline between good and bad banks. In the new normal, breaking that glass bottom appears to be the new goal for greatness.

TCF Financial (TCB) reported its first quarterly loss in 17 years Thursday after it restructured its balance sheet to eliminate high-cost debt.

One of the most aggressive bank acquirers in the Southeast has brought in a longtime community banker to help it identify future deals.

First Niagara Financial Group's (FNFG) first-quarter profit rose, as the bank boosted its commercial lending and picked up more checking account customers.

The $4.7 billion-asset parent of Cole Taylor Bank swung to a $7.7 million profit in the first quarter from a $2 million loss in the same period last year, thanks largely to a surge in mortgage lending.

BB&T has dedicated more resources to courting big borrowers, and its expansion in Texas via M&A is paying off, CEO Kelly King says.

Fueled by acquisitions and strong organic loan growth, People's United Financial (PBCT) in Bridgeport, Conn., said Thursday that it earned $58.8 million in the first quarter, up 36% from the same quarter in 2011.

Consumers are more disappointed with bank fees, but that frustration has been largely offset by more positive experiences at branches and ATMs, according to a new survey by J.D. Power and Associates.

In October of last year the acting chairman of the FDIC said at the annual ABA meeting, "the FDIC is going to undertake a number in initiatives to further our understanding of the challenges and opportunities for community banks."

Larry Hattix believes that adding outside bureaucracy "will significantly delay exam processing and corrective actions," while making it more difficult for regulators to intervene when problems arise at banks and thrifts.