WASHINGTON — Congress passed legislation late Thursday that will expand community bank access to the debt markets in order to finance acquisitions.

AmeriServ Financial in Johnstown, Pa., is making leadership changes as its chief executive plans to resign early next year.

Two River Bancorp in Tinton Falls, N.J., has received regulatory approval to redeem half of the preferred stock it issued under the Small Business Lending Fund program.

Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania in Narbeth could be looking for a new chief risk officer.

Investors in the failed Tennessee Commerce Bank have reached a tentative agreement to resolve a two-year-old class action involving the bank.

Georgia once was known as the state hit with the most bank failures. Renasant's agreement to buy Heritage Financial in Albany, Ga., is the latest of several deals where buyers have paid strong premiums to enter or expand in the state.

The $1 billion-asset ESB said in a press release Thursday that it will pay $53 million in cash for the $333 million-asset Citizens National.

Kevin Cashen, has resigned as Bay Bancorp's president and chief executive just weeks after the Lutherville, Md., company posted a $942,000 third-quarter loss.

The Treasury Department has sold nearly a fifth of its stake in Puerto Rico's First Bancorp in recent months.

Associated Banc-Corp in Green Bay, Wis., is planning to join the New York Stock Exchange.

NCAL Bancorp in Los Angeles has raised nearly $11 million in the first stage of its stock sale.

Renasant Corp. in Tupelo, Miss., has agreed to buy Heritage Financial Group in Albany, Ga., for roughly $258 million.

Monterey Credit Union could be the first credit union to convert since mid-2013. Management hopes the move will allow it to make more small-business loans, while providing greater access to capital.

Porter Bancorp in Louisville, Ky., is rearranging some of its capital with an eye toward improving common equity and perhaps making its pursuit of additional funds easier.

Banks need to showcase a reputable culture — and competitive compensation packages — to seal the deal with top talent.

ViewPoint Financial is on the verge of finalizing its $300 million acquisition of LegacyTexas Group, a deal that was delayed two times.

Anchor Bancorp in St. Paul, Minn., has agreed to buy VFSC in Eden Prairie, Minn.

Activist investor Joseph Stilwell is threatening to fight yet another proxy battle against Harvard Illinois Bancorp.

Deborah Wright, who is set to retire as Carver's CEO at year-end, says the New York bank is preparing new products to reach underserved parts of the city. While she says community development banks should merge, Carver has no immediately plans to roll them up.

Bank directors and officers who agree to settle claims brought by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. in its capacity as receiver may find themselves next confronting a lifetime ban from the industry.