A former Citibank payments specialist has been appointed to the board of Meta Financial Group in Sioux Falls, S.D.

WASHINGTON — The House passed a bill by a voice vote Monday that will make it easier for mortgage originators to take a new job across state lines or move from a federally regulated bank to a nonbank lending shop.

Citizens Community Bancorp in Eau Claire, Wis., is searching for a new leader after its president and chief executive announced plans to resign this summer.

QCR Holdings in Moline, Ill., has agreed to buy Community State Bank in Ankeny, Iowa.

Nonperforming commercial-and-industrial loans are soaring, and loans to farmers and construction firms — not just oil and gas companies — are a big reason.

A proxy advisory firm has sided with Financial Institutions in Warsaw, N.Y., in its battle with an activist investor.

LaPorte Bancorp was poring over offers from potential buyers when Raymond James, the company's investment bank, notified LaPorte's board that it was also advising a potential acquirer on a separate deal. LaPorte requested more information before ruling out a potential conflict of interest.

Cattaraugus County Bank in Little Valley, N.Y., has named Salvatore Marranca chairman less than two years after he retired as its chief executive.

I bear no hard feelings for the JPMorgan Chase CEO, but our disagreement underscores a rift between how Wall Street firms and community banks view the post-crisis landscape.

HomeStreet in Seattle has raised $65 million from issuing senior debt. The $4.8 billion-asset company said in a press release Friday that the proceeds from the offering with support growth and other general corporate purposes.

Flagship Community Bank in Florida is facing pressure from its biggest shareholder to sell itself, either for cash or stock in a publicly held buyer. Management, however, believes the bank will fetch a better price if given time to improve profitability.

Scale is the goal of many banks dealing with compliance costs and revenue constraints. Success requires investing in management and systems without sacrificing culture.

National Commerce in Birmingham, Ala., has issued $25 million in subordinated debt.

State Bank in Atlanta convinced a jittery seller to work out a deal by promising to do an all-cash purchase if its own stock faltered.

Severn Bancorp in Annapolis, Md., has partially redeemed outstanding shares tied to the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

California Bank of Commerce in Lafayette has raised $9 million to help it exit the Small Business Lending Fund.

First Citizens BancShares in Raleigh, N.C., has agreed to buy Cordia Bancorp in Midlothian, Va.

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