American Banker readers share their views on the most pressing banking topics of the week. Comments are excerpted from reader response sections of AmericanBanker.com articles and from our social media platforms.

JPMorgan chief Jamie Dimon tried to defend his bank's size and scope by suggesting that community banks are just as vulnerable in a crisis. But he succeeded only in proving that Wall Street firms will make the same mistakes all over again unless the government takes steps to disincentivize their risky behavior.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve Board finalized a rule Thursday that could spur small bank deals by expanding the number of bank holding companies that qualify for an exception allowing them to carry more debt.

Pinnacle Financial Partners has struck its first deal in nearly eight years, and it has the capacity to do more as it seeks to double its assets in Tennessee. But CEO Terry Turner says it is more likely to grow organically because there aren't many banks left in the state that he would want to buy.

First Horizon has agreed to pay $212.5 million to settle claims tied to the Memphis, Tenn., company's past underwriting and origination of certain loans.

Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin said Thursday that it has offered buyouts to nearly 20% of its employees and is closing six branches as part of its ongoing effort to improve efficiency.

Financial Institutions Inc. in Warsaw, N.Y., has begun a $35 million debt offering to help fund growth.

Community First Bank in Seneca, S.C., has overhauled its executive management team, including naming new chief executive, financial and credit officers.

Mounting yet another defense of JPMorgan Chase’s size and scope, Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon pointed out the fallibility of smaller banks in his annual letter to shareholders.

The $5.8 billion First Financial said in a press release Wednesday that it will pay $1.9 million in cash for 4Trust Mortgage in a deal that should close next month.

The state's banking lobby is opposing a bill that would make it easier for thrifts to hold municipal deposits because the proposal would also let credit unions go after the same business.

Pinnacle Financial Partners in Nashville has agreed to buy CapitalMark Bank & Trust in Chattanooga, Tenn.

M&T Bank still can't get the Fed's blessing to buy Hudson City. The latest delay raises questions about Hudson City's fate and what could be going on internally at the Fed to keep the acquisition in limbo.

CBank in Cincinnati has agreed to buy Commercial Industrial Finance, a St. Louis equipment leasing and finance firm.

First-quarter earnings calls will rev up in the next week. Here are some community banks that could have a lot to say about M&A, compliance and cost cutting.

Hilltop Holdings in Lubbock, Texas, plans to issue $150 million in senior debt.

Congress should take the interests of small and midsize mortgage lenders into account as it weighs regulatory reform for community banks. Exempting smaller lenders from random CFPB audits would be a good start.

Bryn Mawr Bank in Bryn Mawr, Pa., has bought Robert J. McAllister Agency. The $2.2 billion-asset company did not say what it paid for the Philadelphia-area insurance and risk management agency.

A key deadline for anti-fraud card technology is prompting more retailers and banks to take a hard look at mobile payments platforms.

DNB Financial in Downington, Pa., has formed a business banking services division.