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.

M&T Bancorp in Buffalo, N.Y., has once again delayed its planned purchase of Hudson City Bancorp in Paramus, N.J.

Centrue Financial in Ottawa, Ill., has sold $35.2 million in classified loans and other assets.

Amid huge regulatory pressure to strengthen anti-money-laundering controls, banks are grappling with a shortage of compliance talent.

With some proposals still outstanding, mortgage bond market participants are concerned that eminent domain attempts would spread if a municipality makes inroads with a proposal.

Mortgage lending, particularly for bigger banks, cooled some in October as home buying season ended. Meanwhile, loan pricing deteriorated again, showing that lenders are still cutting rates to land the best credits.

SmartFinancial in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., has agreed to merge with Cornerstone Bancshares in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Iberiabank Corp. in Lafayette, La., will enter the Atlanta market, agreeing to buy Georgia Commerce Bancshares.

The end of the year is a busy time for closing bank acquisitions — at least buyers are hoping that is the case. With the average deal taking about 120 days to complete, there are plenty of banks anxiously awaiting a call from regulators.

A recap of the informed opinions (and the discussions they generated) on BankThink this week.

Hampton Roads Bankshares in Virginia Beach, Va., has agreed to pay $200,000 to address an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission into the company's accounting practices.

Border Bancshares in Greenbush, Minn., has agreed to buy full ownership of First Advantage Bank in Coon Rapids, Minn.

United Labor Bank in Oakland, Calif., has a new name.

CertusHoldings in Greenville, S.C., is getting very little money for selling its broker-dealer and wealth-management units.

Bank debt is back in vogue. The question is for how long.

Security National Bank in Sioux City, Iowa, said Thursday that it has agreed to purchase First Trust & Savings Bank in Moville, Iowa.

Heartland Financial in Dubuque, Iowa, has split the positions of president and chief executive, the company announced Wednesday.

Most big companies achieve success by squeezing vendors, lowering prices, improving efficiency and giving consumers what they want. But in the topsy-turvy world of banking, the most disliked financial institutions end up at the top of the food chain.

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD), Canada's largest lender by assets, said fourth-quarter profit rose 8 percent as earnings from domestic and wholesale banking increased.

At a roundtable with federal and state regulators in Los Angeles this week, bankers offered some fresh ideas about possible regulatory relief. Here is a sampling.