SmartFinancial in Knoxville, Tenn., has appointed a chief credit officer for its newly acquired Cornerstone Community Bank.

Bank earnings may be on the up and up, but aging business models are still putting a drag on most financial institutions' performance.

Banks are going to keep cranking out loans at a brisk pace for the foreseeable future, according to the heads of three Chicago-area banks. That could spell trouble if the competition leads to reckless credit decisions.

Comptroller of the Currency Thomas Curry said banks could consider loan-to-value ratios above 90% to help revitalize areas hurt by the housing crisis.

Bank of Fincastle in Virginia has named Charles “Scott” Steele chief executive, after its longtime CEO retired.

Bryn Mawr Bank in Pennsylvania has hired Michael Harrington as its chief financial officer and treasurer. Harrington, who was also named CFO of Bryn Mawr Trust, was the CFO and treasurer at Susquehanna Bancshares, which was acquired earlier this year by BB&T.

The American Bankers Association has planned a financial literacy campaign to help seniors and their caregivers guard against financial fraud.

Americans had 314 million credit card accounts during the first three months of the year, the highest number since the fourth quarter of 2008, according to a report released Wednesday.

FNB Bancorp in South San Francisco, Calif., has acquired America California Bank in San Francisco.

Bridgewater Bancshares in Bloomington, Minn., has raised $15 million from the private-equity firm Castle Creek Capital.

Nicolet Bankshares in Green Bay, Wis., has agreed to buy Baylake Corp. in Sturgeon Bay, Wis.

Vikram Pandit knows a thing or two about fees — he ran a hedge fund and led Citigroup Inc. as the world's biggest credit card lender. Now he's switched sides and wants to help people avoid them.

WASHINGTON – Federal bank regulators said Tuesday that they are taking steps to ease the regulatory burden on community banks by eliminating or revising certain call report line items.

Community banks could be vulnerable to increased funding costs, particularly rates tied to retail deposits. Technology, and improved modeling, could help them hold onto more deposits.

What does a small bank do when a much larger bank encroaches on its home turf?

Brayden McCarthy of Fundera contends that unfair practices are commonplace in the online lending industry, and that self-regulation is needed to protect small-business borrowers.

The credit union regulator received nearly 3,100 comment letters tied to plans to loosen restrictions on business lending, with a vast majority opposing any changes.

Community 1st Bank in Auburn, Calif., has named Kevin Watson chief financial officer.

First Internet Bank is pioneering eye-vein recognition to let customers log in to its mobile app, hoping consumers' distinct concerns about this form of biometric authentication fade away.

Two Nebraska mutuals that share a name, Home Federal Savings and Loan Association, have agreed to merge.