Many banks targeting African-Americans have struggled with attracting enough deposits within their communities, but a grassroots organization is trying to offset that trend by urging people to deposit funds in such institutions — even if they live thousands of miles away.

United Community Banks Inc. in Blairsville, Ga., said it secured a $30 million loan to boost its capital position.

State and federal regulators ordered Orion Bancorp Inc. of Naples, Fla., to clear troubled loans off its books quickly, improve its workout procedures, and reduce its concentration of loans to real estate developers.

Republic Bancorp Inc. has never been much of a dealmaker, but with its stock price surging and its coffers full from record profits, the Louisville company is spreading the word that it is interested in buying banks.

Franklin Bank Corp. in Houston has named Alan E. Master, its president since May, as chief executive officer.

Rockland Trust Co. in Massachusetts has raised $30 million in a private placement and said it would use the proceeds to support growth and for general corporate purposes.

Now that Tightwad Bank in Missouri has piqued the interest of tightwads nationwide, it aims to turn more of them into customers.

A group that wants to open a thrift in Miami-Dade County is seeking to raise $11.5 million to $20 million in an initial public offering.

Shares of FirstFed Financial Corp. soared Thursday after an analyst raised questions about what effect naked short-selling might be having on the Los Angeles company's stock.

UMB Financial Corp. in Kansas City, Mo., promoted the president of its asset management unit to head its St. Louis bank.

When USAmeriBank in Largo, Fla., opened with a modest $12 million of capital 18 months ago, it aspired to be no more than a boutique bank in Pinellas County.

MIDDLE ATLANTIC

BankUnited Financial Corp.'s regulator would probably downgrade the company's capital rating if it is unable to raise $400 million of capital, the company has said.

Nearly two months after delaying its annual meeting to avoid a potential proxy contest, Team Financial Inc. of Paola, Kan., has an independent chairman and three new directors.

Click here to see the top 150 community banks with the largest farm loan portfolios.

Wintrust Financial Corp. of Lake Forest, Ill., announced late Tuesday that it has raised $50 million in fresh capital through the sale of convertible preferred stock to a Chicago private equity firm.

The Office of Thrift Supervision issued guidance Tuesday detailing when it is appropriate for thrifts to suspend home equity lines of credit.

Edward Furash, the outgoing chief executive at City First Bank of D.C., has high hopes for his successor, Dorothy Bridges.