The $32 million purchase of Sunshine Financial will provide First Bancshares with its first branches in Tallahassee, Fla.

On Sep. 30, 2017. Dollars in thousands.

On Sep. 30, 2017. Dollars in thousands.

Bigger rivals are making inroads into small banks' bread-and-butter business line, yet the leaders of three community banks say they just need to keep doing what they do best — personal service — but work harder at it and incorporate new technology.

After two century-old community institutions merged in 2010, they never suspected it would take seven years before their operating systems got along.

In our quest to solidify and improve customer satisfaction, we should not set up systems that have our teams more focused on manipulating scores than actually earning them.

The Tennessee company also set high expectations for revenue opportunities while projecting it will deliver a 15% return on equity in 2019.

Eagle Bancorp vigorously defended itself after a potential short seller made claims of dubious insider dealings, pushing back harder than many banks have in the past.

The company agreed to buy TCSB Bancorp, the parent of Traverse City State Bank, for $63 million.

Colonial Savings founder James S. DuBose died after a yearlong battle with cancer. He was 93.

The Small Business Credit Availability Act aims to double the debt-to-equity ratio for business development companies. Increased leverage could spur more lending to small and midsize borrowers.

Teaching kids the CU difference, keeping first responders safe, hosting international visitors and other ways credit unions are giving back to the communities they serve.

American Banker’s award winners for 2017 had moments in their careers where hard knocks taught an indelible lesson, they trusted their gut or they listened to good advice. Here is a takeaway from each of their stories.

Eagle is trying to debunk claims by Aurelius Value that CEO Ronald Paul and other directors are involved in an insider loan scheme. Eagle dismissed the report as an effort by short sellers to manipulate its stock.

Guaranty Federal Bancshares in Springfield, Mo., has agreed to buy Hometown Bancshares in Carthage.

The $528 million acquisition ends months of speculation that the foreign-owned banks were pursuing a deal.

Another look at how credit unions are giving back to the communities they serve.

A lot of lenders say they're dedicated to customer service, but here are six instances when Amarillo National Bank — whose CEO is one of our Banker of the Year award winners for 2017 — went above and beyond the normal call of duty.

For her entrepreneurial spirit and for bringing hometown banking back to Baltimore, Mary Ann Scully has been named a 2017 Banker of the Year award winner.

Ware has been named a 2017 Banker of the Year award winner for transforming the family-owned bank into a highly profitable community lender that takes calculated risks and prides itself on treating employees and customers well.