Fitch Ratings has affirmed its outlook for six community banks based on their stable and improving performance.

How banks are using online and classroom courses to teach young commercial lenders to stay on top of regulatory and market changes.

Highlands Bancorp in Vernon, N.J., has lined up its next chief executive.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Home Loan banks of Seattle and Des Moines announced Thursday that their boards have unanimously approved a definitive agreement to merge.

First Citizens BancShares in Raleigh, N.C., will add three directors after it completes its acquisition of First Citizens Bancorp. in Columbia, S.C.

Nearly 40% of community banks have no plans to introduce new products and services in the next three years, according to a recent survey from the Federal Reserve and Conference of Bank Supervisors. Technology also remains a daunting challenge, along with regulatory changes and other business challenges.

The banking industry needs women to polish its tarnished image, insists Jill Castilla, the CEO at Citizens Bank of Edmond (Okla.).

While community bankers admit they are worried about Wal-Mart's latest move in financial services, the fact is that they have been successfully fending off disruption in financial services for years.

Sunflower Financial is adding loans and growing in Denver. First Western Financial has tepid loan growth, but its prowess in private banking is enviable. Casual talks between their CEOs led them to the realization they could build on each other’s strengths.

Urban Partnership Bank in Chicago has lured a former Citibank executive out of retirement to lead its consumer banking operations.

First Connecticut Bancorp in Farmington is expanding into Massachusetts.

NewBridge Bancorp in Greensboro, N.C., has created three commercial banking groups.

Hawaii National Bancshares in Honolulu is planning to buy out the holdings of its minority shareholders.

A pair of banking companies announced plans to consolidate their community bank brands.

Webster Financial in Waterbury, Conn., has agreed to buy JPMorgan Chase's health savings account business.

The $578 million-asset company said in a press release Tuesday that it had hired Anthony Weagley as its president and CEO. He will have the same roles at Malvern’s bank.

Sunflower Financial in Salina, Kan., is poised to strengthen its presence in Denver.

Bank of Texas in Houston has hired a Bank of America veteran to lead its Houston operations.

Esther George, president of the Kansas City Fed, highlighted the shortcomings of banking regulation, especially as applied to community banks, and said the "pendulum has swung too far" on consumer protection.

BB&T's smaller competitors are convinced the Winston-Salem bank is moving the decision-making on commercial loan applications to its headquarters. They say they've been able to steal customers from BB&T as borrowers are frustrated with the red tape. BB&T's president denies this and says it's as committed to community banking as always.