Citizens Community Bancorp in Eau Claire, Wis., has agreed to buy Old Murry Bancorp in Rice Lake, Wis.

There is concern that a decline in condo pricing could create loan problems similar to those that cropped up before the financial crisis. Bankers in the area, however, believe foreign investors would take the biggest hit.

A rough economy, regulation and evolving technology will keep forcing small banks to merge, said Richard Hunt, head of the Consumer Bankers Association. Hunt's position puts him at odds with bank advocates, including Camden Fine at the Independent Community Bankers of America, who believe small banks should ignore the drumbeat calling for more consolidation.

Flagstar Bancorp in Troy, Mich., has launched a national homebuilder lending platform.

Sterling Bancshares in Poplar Bluff, Mo., has completed its purchase of Bootheel Bancorp in Poplar Bluff.

Community bank executives need to focus on these three areas in order to embrace change and cater to younger, tech-savvy customers.

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Bank of Missouri knew that using new technology was important in making its business processes more efficient. But its IT team also knew that it had to get buy-in from the employees actually completing the steps as well to see real results.

Bank of Prairie Village in Kansas went through a core conversion last year. Its chairman hopes that his sons, who are set to take over the bank eventually, won't be afraid to embrace new technology since they've experienced the scariest of all bank IT projects.

Banks stocks fell further than the overall market yet again Thursday, as concerns about negative interest rates, the energy sector and other matters showed no signs of abating.

Inspired by marketplace lenders, Live Oak Bancshares created a largely digital product that can make a credit decision on a small-business loan within 48 hours. The product, which combines human decision-making and automated credit scoring, could go national as early as next year.

Bank of Botetourt in Buchanan, Va., founded in 1899, said Thursday it has opened a mortgage division to pursue unmet demand for home loans in southwestern Virginia.

Rather than replace aging servers and add an on-site backup system, The Eastern Colorado Bank moved its IT infrastructure to the cloud. While some bankers fear outsourcing such systems, the community bank has had a hosted core for several years.

The $2 billion-asset Hampton Roads said in a press release Wednesday that it will pay $107.2 million in stock for the $1 billion-asset Xenith.

Strong demand for rentals will keep pace with new construction over the next few years, the government-sponsored enterprise says.

Kelly King, the North Carolina company's chief executive, also noted that BB&T is busy integrating a number of recent acquisitions. It is leaning toward buying back stock, though management could be coaxed into making a deal if the right bank became available.

The Bancorp in Wilmington, Del., named Sepideh Behram to the role of chief compliance officer. Her hiring comes as the $4.8 billion-asset company works to shore up its risk and compliance management.

Banks are coming up short in trying to keep pace with other more advanced app providers, but emulating these five steps taken by nonbanks can help drive mobile engagement.