First BanCorp's bid to raise more than $560 million of fresh capital hit a snag this week after the San Juan, P.R., company failed to obtain enough shareholder votes to proceed with its plan to issue 150 million of new shares.

Continuing its aggressive expansion in the Southeast, Renasant Corp. in Tupelo, Miss., has set up shop Tuscaloosa, Ala., and brought in two former BB&T Corp. to build up its customer base there.

"What fresh hell is this?" to quote the sharp-witted Dorothy Parker. American banking has coped with unprecedented troubles in the last couple of years and now face an interesting new twist — negative interest rates. The notion may disturb our very capitalistic core, but there is no need for panic...yet.

With at least 30 banks in the Chicago area on the brink of failure, a crew of ex-LaSalle bankers have formed Front Street to start shopping on their old turf.

Community Choice Financial Inc., a payday-loan company backed by a New York private equity fund, filed for a $230 million initial public offering this week, expanding some sources of consumer lending as traditional banks face new regulatory restrictions.

Most banking agencies kept running on Tuesday after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake rattled Washington, but let some employees go home. There were no immediate reports of damage to any of the buildings.

The FDIC charged executives of the failed Silverton Bank with squandering millions on planes, posh digs, and island retreats.

Community groups in California are protesting Capital One Financial Corp.'s planned acquisition of ING Direct, saying the banks have done little to help low-income communities in a state that has accounted for a large chunk of their profits.

An Ohio storefront alternative lender has filed for a $230 million initial public offering, as traditional banks maintain a tight-fisted approach to consumer lending.

CoBiz Financial Inc. said Monday that it was initially approved for as much as $57.4 million from the Small Business Lending Fund program — the second highest amount approved to date.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s "Quarterly Banking Profile" showed many positive signs for the industry. Net income was nearly 38% higher than a year earlier, registering the eighth straight quarter with year-over-year earnings growth. Total loans rose 0.9% in the quarter to $7.3 trillion, the first such increase in three years.

Miami-based Ocean Bank faces a nearly $11 million fine to settle charges it turned a blind eye to drug traffickers allegedly using the bank to launder money.

Central bank proposes two-year phase-in period for thrift holding companies to start new reporting requirements.

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Capital One negotiated a crucial concession in its agreement to buy HSBC's cards business, while First Niagara did not in a big branch deal with the same seller. Investors, skittish about the markets, have punished First Niagara.

Community groups in California are protesting Capital One Financial Corp.'s planned acquisition of ING Direct, saying the banks have done little to help low-income communities in a state that has accounted for a large chunk of their profits.

The agency's Quarterly Banking Profile will report bank and thrift earnings for the second quarter. In May, the agency said institutions had earned $29 billion in the first quarter, and net income had grown on a year-over-year basis for seven straight quarters.

Rockland Trust Co. in Massachusetts has hired a team of asset-based lenders away from Webster Bank of Waterbury, Conn.

BankAtlantic Bancorp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has promoted Charles Mohr to president of retail banking, the latest in a string of executive appointments the company has recently announced.

Navy Federal Credit Union is broadening remote access for its highly mobile member base by tapping the fast growing Android smarthphone market. Not all of the early feedback is positive, however.