BBCN Bancorp in Los Angeles reported a decline in quarterly earnings tied to higher expenses and a rise in loan payoffs.

The $2.9 billion-asset company's third-quarter earnings more than tripled from the second quarter, which included upfront merger-related expenses, and rose 72% from a year earlier, to $5.9 million.

The Mississippi company withdrew two merger applications in August after the FDIC targeted its Bank Secrecy Act compliance. Management says it has made significant progress and is looking forward to a follow-up exam early next year.

Signature Bank in New York reported higher third-quarter profits driven by an uptick in commercial and multifamily lending.

First Defiance Financial in Defiance, Ohio, reported higher quarterly profit after posting higher fee income.

The GSE regulator's second attempt to stimulate the mortgage market is receiving a lukewarm reception from lenders, who remain gun-shy after being forced by Fannie and Freddie to repurchase billions of dollars in soured loans since 2008.

Washington Trust Bancorp in Westerly, R.I., reported increased profitability that reflected balance sheet growth and lower costs.

Wilshire Bancorp in Los Angeles reported higher quarterly profit that was boosted by recent acquisitions.

Synovus Financial in Columbus, Ga., reported a higher third-quarter profit as its total loans and net interest income increased.

Community Bank System in Syracuse, N.Y., reported higher earnings from a year earlier, as strong returns from investment services helped it overcome the cost of a legal settlement.

ServisFirst Bancshares in Birmingham, Ala., has agreed to buy Metro Bancshares in Atlanta.

BNC Bancorp in High Point, N.C., increased profits by nearly two-thirds thanks to higher net interest income and other factors.

Concerns still remain among community bankers that examiners could push individual community banks to undergo stress tests, even if the agencies refuse to make it mandatory.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule Monday that will allow institutions that limit the amount of customer data they share to post annual privacy notices online rather than by paper delivery.

Enterprise Financial wants to show that mortgages made to legal immigrants who have taxpayer ID numbers are actually safe credit risks, and it is testing the philosophy at a branch in Kansas City, Kan.

PL Capital, upset that Metro Bancorp refuses to sell itself, has launched a proxy battle to gain two board seats at the Harrisburg, Pa., company.

The $1.5 billion-asset company disclosed in a regulatory filing Monday that Kathryn Pemble had become its Florida market president.

Arrow Financial in Glens Falls, N.Y. reported an increase in quarterly profit because of increased lending.

Riverview Bancorp in Vancouver, Wash., is facing pressure from a large investor to sell itself.

Bank of Marin Bancorp in Novato, Calif., reported a significant increase in quarterly profit following an acquisition and organic growth.