The U.S. Postal Service's inspector general said Friday that it is seeking proposals from outside groups about possible postal banking services.

Banks on opposite coasts — Sterling Bancorp in New York and Banner in Washington — are joining the list of institutions teetering on the $10 billion-asset threshold where a slew of new regulation kicks in. The banks' CEOs said they were finally able to peg the expected costs of reaching that size.

Hilltop Holdings in Dallas has disclosed that its mortgage unit is under federal investigation in connection with underwriting practices for loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration.

Hanmi Financial in Los Angeles reported higher quarterly earnings as organic loan growth and an acquisition offset significant margin pressure.

Disaffected big bank customers are looking for a reason to switch. Community banks and credit unions should take advantage of this opportunity with a collective ad campaign that positions their institutions as friendly, helpful and morally upright alternatives to major lenders.

Fidelity Southern in Atlanta has agreed to buy deposits and loans from Florida Capital Bank.

Wells Fargo and Live Oak Bank were the top lenders in the Small Business Administration's 7(a) loan program, helping lead the agency program to its most successful fiscal year.

Banks are not closing branches fast enough to keep up with the exodus to online banking. The percentage of branches with low transaction volume is on the rise, according to a new study. Bankers say they are on the case, but there are obstacles to simply hanging a "closed" sign on the front door.

It has been three months since Bankwell Financial's CEO left abruptly. Some observers say it might make sense for Bankwell — and others in a similar spot — to consider selling while no change-of-control payout is involved.

Beneficial Bancorp in Philadelphia could raise as much as $633 million through its second-step conversion.

Lack of diversity in the sales force is one of several nagging issues underlying mortgage lenders' concerns about tepid home sales.

Opus Bank in Irvine, Calif., has signed a lease to open its first banking office in Oregon.

Most customers who go into bank branches aren't in the mood to entertain a forceful sales pitch. But if they're pleased with the service they receive, they'll be a lot more willing to learn more about a bank's additional offerings.

A court in Puerto Rico court has affirmed its decision that Doral Financial is entitled to a $230 million tax refund from the territory's Treasury Department.

The Massachusetts Division of Banks plans to hold a public hearing today on proposed changes to state lending regulations.

Glacier Bancorp in Kalispell, Mont., has agreed to buy Montana Community Banks Inc. in Ronan, Mont.

Late Wednesday, Banner Corp. in Walla Walla, Wash., announced it would acquire AmericanWest Bank in a $702 million stock-and-cash deal.

Clashes between directors and management are becoming routine at Cardinal Bankshares in Virginia, which recently forced out its CEO for the second time in two years.

WASHINGTON — Credit unions were generally pleased with Tuesday's election results that gave Republicans control of Congress, but acknowledged they suffered a blow from the loss of one of their most vocal advocates, Sen. Mark Udall.

Bank regulators will hold a series of outreach meetings with bankers starting Dec. 2 to hear regulatory relief ideas as part of a process required by federal law.