Southwest Bancorp (OKSB) in Stillwater, Okla., reported higher earnings because of lower expenses, fewer loan losses and higher fee revenue.

Northfield Bancorp in Woodbridge, N.J., has completed the stock offering for its conversion to a fully public company.

It seems clear that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau believes balloon mortgages are not abusive or predatory. Why, then, does the rule so restrict their use?

It takes more than 1,000 days for banks to repossess a home in New York, stalling a housing recovery by keeping pressure on values for years to come as a constant drip of distressed properties enter the sales market.

Carver Bancorp in New York has shuffled several managers while creating a new position of president and chief operating officer.

Wintrust Financial (WTFC) announced another small acquisition to expand its operations in Illinois, saying it would buy First Lansing Bancorp, which has seven branches, $370 million in assets and $325 million in deposits.

Higher costs weighed on UMB Financial (UMBF) in Kansas City, Mo., in the fourth quarter. Earnings at the $14.9 billion-asset company fell 9.4% from a year earlier, to $21.1 million.

Higher costs offset revenue gains at Community Bank System (CBU) in Syracuse, N.Y., in the fourth quarter. Earnings at the $7.5 billion-asset company fell roughly 1% from a year earlier, to $18.8 million.

Preferred Bank in Los Angeles blamed its lower fourth-quarter profits on tax-related items.

PNC Financial (PNC) is teaming with one of the nation's top business schools to foster innovation in the financial industry.

HSBC (HBC) has promoted the head of its American arm to the company's top executive team.

The Columbus, Ga., company reported higher quarterly earnings, helped by a $800 million deferred tax asset, and quieted M&A talk for now.

PremierWest Bancorp (PRWT) in Medford, Ore., took a loss in the fourth quarter as it sought to remove dead wood from its balance sheet.

Valley Bank in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., will get an assist from its parent after facing a capital shortfall.

Penalty fees fell 8% among credit card issuers last year. The fees have declined since 2009, when Congress passed legislation that limited the ability of card issuers to impose certain charges.

A breakup perhaps has never ended so well as when the local investors bought out Capitol Bancorp's majority stake in three Colorado banks more than two years ago.

Flathead Holding Co. of Bigfork, Mont., has entered into an agreement with regulators to bolster its capital.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau faces the task of determining how the 2009 credit card reform law has influenced the cost of credit. Its conclusions will likely offer clues to its future rulemaking and spur further clashes between bankers and consumer advocates.

Higher fees powered PrivateBancorp (PVTB) in Chicago in the fourth quarter. The $14.9 billion-asset company's earnings rose 163% from a year earlier, to $20 million.

Federal regulators are partnering up to take a close look at whether banks provide collections agencies with sufficient evidence to back up demands that consumers repay debts. The action could result in a revamping of the multi-billion dollar business.