Thomas O'Brien made good on a 2015 promise to turn a profit in every quarter. This year, his goal is to stay profitable to earn back a deferred-tax asset that should meaningfully increase the New Jersey company's valuation.

The presidential race is likely to overshadow most political events in 2016 as the first primary states begin voting in February. Accordingly, many of the people on this list are candidates who could win the presidency in November, or at least have the chance to shape the outcome. But there are also some guaranteed players already in place whose actions will help shape banking policy in the year to come. Here are the top 10 to watch.

Unlike the bargain-heavy aftermath of the crisis, acquisitions during the recovery have been hampered by high premiums and unsatisfactory returns.

The 10 most popular BankThink posts of 2015, based on audience page views.

Banks can help ease a severe national shortage in affordable rental properties — and make money doing it.

Opportunities abound, in affordable housing, capital raising, consumer lending and more. We aim to get you thinking about how new developments on many fronts could affect your business as you plan for the coming year and beyond.

Heritage Bankshares in Norfolk, Va., has exited the Small Business Lending Fund, ahead of its proposed deal to be acquired by Southern BancShares in Mount Olive, N.C.

SB Financial Group in Defiance, Ohio, has bought a former Fifth Third Bank branch in Bowling Green, Ohio.

The Dodd-Frank Act is a burden on community banks and credit unions but regulators are struggling to quantify the costs, according to a report released Wednesday by the Government Accountability Office.

Prime Meridian Holding in Tallahassee, Fla., has tapped a board member to serve as its new chief financial officer.

KeySavings Bank in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., has promoted a vice president to chief executive.

Colony Bankcorp in Fitzgerald, Ga., has redeemed about a quarter of its shares in the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Recent comments by Russell Golden, chairman of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, raise questions about the board's plans to change bank accounting standards.

Emclaire Financial in Emlenton, Pa., has agreed to buy United-American Savings Bank in Pittsburgh for $14.1 million.

Amboy Bancorp in Amboy, Ill., has agreed to buy Franklin Grove Bank in Franklin Grove, Ill.

Capital Bank CEO Eugene Taylor took a three-year break from acquisitions until agreeing to buy CommunityOne earlier this year. Taylor hopes the deal provides evidence that his team is a buyer – not a seller – in the year ahead.

CNB Financial in Clearfield, Pa., has agreed to buy Lake National Bank in Mentor, Ohio.

A federal judge is urging the parties of a closely watched pot-banking case to settle their dispute.

The $390.1 million-asset company said in a press release Tuesday that it has agreed to sell common stock to institutional investors led by Patriot Financial Partners.