The holding companies of Park Cities Bank in Dallas, Tex., have filed for bankruptcy in order to facilitate the recapitalization and purchase of the bank by Park Cities Financial Group.

Banks of all sizes are looking to ramp up wealth management operations as other businesses sputter. Along with the promise of high fee income come high risks-including the regulatory and reputational varieties. American Banker editors discuss.

The Federal Reserve Board has taken action against the U.S. branch of Germany's Commerzbank for failing to comply with anti-money-laundering regulations.

Aided by strong loan growth and improved credit quality, Simmons First (SFNC) in Pine Bluff, Ark., said that its third-quarter profit climbed 12% from the same period last year, to $7.4 million. Earnings per share climbed 13%, to 45 cents, beating the estimates of analysts polled by Bloomberg by 4 cents.

First Niagara Financial (FNFG) in Buffalo, N.Y., surpassed Wall Street's expectations for the third quarter as loan growth compensated for sliding mortgage banking fees.

As the Fed contemplates ending QE3, banks will need to look beyond government debt and mortgage-backed securities to generate returns.

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Jeffrey Lacker said bankruptcy without government support is "the first and most preferable option" in the event of a failure by a big financial institution.

SunTrust Banks (STL) in Atlanta reported lower quarterly earnings after it agreed to settle claims over various mortgage-related practices.

Many payments companies see a conflict between innovation and regulation, with each side perceiving the other as out of touch with their needs, particularly when it comes to new technology.

Capital One has hired Citigroup veteran George Revock to lead its alternative energy and project finance group.

Chemung Financial (CHMG) in Elmira, N.Y., has named Karl Krebs as its new chief financial officer.

Capital One Financial (COF) saw its profits dip in the third quarter as revenues from its flagship credit card business diminished.

Some regional banks reported strong loan growth in the third quarter and are upbeat about the fourth. Others had a weak summer and expect this quarter to be the same. All claim their lending practices are sound and that rivals are taking risks. It doesn't add up.

PrivateBancorp (PVTB) in Chicago posted stronger earnings because of cost-cutting.

Even if these loans did harm consumers – doubtful as they were freely entered into – the harm would appear quite minor compared to that which has been repeatedly imposed upon the U.S. Native American population.

Huntington Bancshares’s efforts are paying off. It finally reached a 2013 goal of achieving positive operating leverage by cutting jobs, closing branches and reducing marketing and legal expenses.

The U.S. Senate's leadership in resolving the government shutdown offers evidence that it’s also likely to lead the way in reforming mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. That's good news for the many bankers who favor the bipartisan Corker-Warner bill over a House alternative authored by Texas Republican Jeb Hensarling.

GlassPay, a new Google Glass app from RedBottle Design LLC, allows consumers to make purchases with bitcoins, a prominent digital currency.

Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) in Cincinnati reported a 16% rise in quarterly earnings thanks to improvements in credit quality and gains from its gradual divestiture of a payments subsidiary.

East West Bancorp (EWBC) in Pasadena, Calif., reported a small rise in quarterly profit because of loan growth.