The Federal Reserve is holding public hearings in three cities across the country to review Capital One's proposed purchase of ING Direct. The hearings to be held in San Francisco are half a continent away from the nearest branches of what may become America's fifth largest bank. Without branches, the bank's responsibility to California cities and counties is not clear under regulators' current interpretation of the federal Community Reinvestment Act.

IMGCAP(1)]

First Bancshares Inc. in Hattiesburg, Miss., said Monday that it had expanded along the Gulf Coast after buying eight branches that had belonged to Whitney National Bank.

OCC head tells American Banker regulatory symposium that banks could face restitution after complaint reviews. Gruenberg, meanwhile, announces FDIC community-bank initiatives.

As the FDIC files more lawsuits against former directors of failed banks, a common theme has emerged from the defendants’ legal arguments: the FDIC is to blame for the failures. Industry observers are divided as to whether the defense will hold water in court.

The former Investors Savings Bank in Short Hills, N.J., has shortened its name to Investors Bank to better reflect its increasing commercial focus.

WSFS Financial Corp. in Wilmington, Del., has hired Paul D. Geraghty as its chief wealth officer.

Atlantic Coast Financial Corp. in Jacksonville, Fla., said in a regulatory filing last week that Robert J. Larison Jr. is retiring as its chief operating officer.

BBVA Compass plans to take a small first step into South Florida this spring, by opening a branch in Miami.

Happy Bancshares Inc. in Canyon, Texas, has agreed to acquire Signature Bancshares Inc. in Dallas.

A pair of banks formed just before the 2008 financial crisis are the latest to merge as other opportunities to deploy capital remain elusive.

First M&F Corp. in Kosciusko, Miss., is looking to shed six branches, or roughly 14% of its offices.

Superior Bank in Tampa has added another former Regions Bank executive to its management team, naming Sean Johnson as its head of retail banking.

Wintrust Financial Corp. won the bidding for the failed First Chicago Bank & Trust but it is still fighting for the right to use the First Chicago name.

Nuvo Bank President Jeff Sattler and this hotel owner plan to take a 13-story leap for charity.

The same uncertainties about the economy, capital rules and other matters that are slowing deal activity could ultimately prod sellers to give in. The question is when.

Opus Bank, Irvine, Calif., hired Michael L. Allison as chief credit officer and executive vice president.

Continuing a wave of consolidation among California community banks, AltaPacific Bancorp in Santa Rosa said late Wednesday that it is buying Stellar Business Bank in Covina for $17.4 million in stock.

S&T Bancorp in Indiana, Pa., announced late Wednesday that it is buying Mainline Bancorp Inc. in Ebensburg, Pa., for roughly $21.5 million in cash and stock.

Employment in the mortgage industry continued to grind down in recent months, and the current revival in loan volume appears likely to produce a modest reversal in the trend at most.