Bank of the Ozarks could raise more capital, especially if a rising number of unfunded loans convert to funded credits. Management is also keeping an eye on credit quality, raising certain standards and selling some syndicated loans.

Westamerica Bancorp.'s profits fell again in the first quarter as a result of management's decision to shrink its loan portfolio and load up on lower-yielding investment securities

Boston Private Financial Holdings and its bank have shuffled some key executive posts.

FDIC Vice Chairman Tom Hoenig outlined a new measure to grant reg relief, one based on activity rather than size. While his vision would grant 94% of banks substantial relief, he objected, however, to exempting institutions from the Volcker Rule.

MasterCard Inc. and Target Corp. are in talks about a settlement in which the retailer would pay banks about $20 million for costs they incurred in its 2013 data breach, a person familiar with the matter said.

More than 70 banks are set to hit their seventh anniversary this year, crossing a threshold where they will have reduced regulatory scrutiny and relaxed capital ratios. While many are excited about the potential to growth, they are aiming to do so carefully.

PacWest Bancorp in Los Angeles announced Tuesday that Chief Financial Officer Victor Santoro plans to retire from the post this summer and West Coast banking veteran Patrick Rusnak will succeed him in that role.

Sound Financial Bancorp in Seattle has selected a former Fannie Mae executive to join its board.

Even small U.S. banks can end up doing business with institutions all across the world, but here are some jurisdictions were doing so is either outright forbidden or requires additional scrutiny.

MBank in Gresham, Ore., has decided to cease providing banking services to the marijuana industry, just one year after it began serving such clients.

When Apple releases its smartwatch next week, there will be apps available from at least five banks — and four of them are community banks. Bankers see the apps as a way to get in early on a new platform, make banking more convenient and drive digital engagement.

Commerce Bancshares in Kansas City, Mo., said Monday that first-quarter profits fell 5% from a year earlier, to $61.1 million, as net interest income fell and expenses rose.

Local governments have historically relied on selling bonds to finance operations. But low interest rates and the rising costs of taking bond issues public are making traditional loans a more tempting option.

BancorpSouth in Tupelo, Miss., has been freed from a consent order tied to Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money-laundering compliance.

Cryptocurrency companies and legal marijuana businesses now routinely pay thousands a month for access to basic banking services, which some think reflects their lack of other options more than their real risks.

A recap of the informed opinions (and the discussions they generated) on BankThink this week, including thoughts on regulatory complexity, Jamie Dimon's defense of the megabank model, and how vulnerable banks really are to tech startups.

Synovus Financial in Columbus, Ga., has a new chief executive for its Tallahassee State Bank: Matt Brown, who had been a market president at Centennial Bank.

Bankers who hold political offices can become advocates for their communities while boosting the profile of their banks. Still, they must be mindful of the time constraints and potential conflicts of interest that come with having dual jobs.

The Western Independent Bankers, a San Francisco industry group, has a new president and chief executive.

Financial Institutions Inc. in Warsaw, N.Y., increased the size of its debt offering by 14% due to high demand.