Buoyed by strong loan growth, North Jersey Community Bank earned a record $1.5 million in the first quarter, up nearly 175% from the same period last year.

If 2010 was the year buyers returned to community bank M&A, this is shaping up to be the year sellers come to the table in earnest. With the return of premium valuations, weak loan demand, and new regulatory burdens, weary bankers are finding that the most appealing option is selling.

First Commons Bank in Newton Centre, Mass., has raised $7.4 million of fresh capital that it intends to fund its expansion.

Several frequent buyers of failed banks struck new deals with regulators on Friday for another batch of collapsed institutions. In total, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. took five banks into receivership, with a total of $2.16 billion in assets.

Several frequent buyers of failed banks struck new deals with regulators on Friday for another batch of collapsed institutions. In total, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. took five banks into receivership, with a total of $2.16 billion in assets.

BNC Bancorp in High Point, N.C., on Friday posted a profitable first quarter while stating that remains interested in making bank acquisitions.

United Bancorp Inc. in Martins Ferry, Ohio, reported another profitable quarter despite higher credit costs. The $431.1 million-asset company posted a gain of $738,000 in the first quarter, compared with $683,000 a year earlier.

First Carolina Corporate Credit Union in Greensboro said Friday that it raised $60 million in new perpetual contributed capital, becoming the latest corporate to successfully complete a recapitalization.

First National Bank of the Gulf Coast in Naples on Friday sold the first $40 million of common stock under a planned $148 million private placement.

Battered by problem loans, Tennessee Commerce said it lost $3.2 million in the first quarter. By comparison, the company earned $553,000 in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Thomas O'Brien, the chief executive and president of State Bancorp, just proved the adage that short-term pain can sometimes yield long-term gains.

Thomas O'Brien, the chief executive and president of State Bancorp, just proved the adage that short-term pain can sometimes yield long-term gains.

Amid weak demand for advances from member banks, total assets at the Federal Home Loan banks slipped to $848.7 million at March 31, down 3% from three months earlier.

Battered by problem loans, Tennessee Commerce said it lost $3.2 million in the first quarter. By comparison, the company earned $553,000 in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Valley National Bancorp in Wayne, N.J., is buying the $1.6 billion-asset State Bancorp in Jericho, N.Y., for $222 million in stock, or 1.85 times State's tangible book value.

Citizens Republic Bancorp Inc. in Flint, Mich., reported a loss of $68.7 million in the first quarter, a marked improvement over the $106 million it lost in the last quarter of 2010.

The Federal Reserve Board this week announced enforcement actions against three banks.

United Community Bancshares Inc. in Blairsville, Ga., has not reported a profitable quarter since mid-2008, but its chief executive said Thursday that he expects that to change starting this quarter.

Things might be improving for Flagstar Bancorp Inc. in Troy, Mich., despite recording its eleventh straight quarterly loss on Wednesday.