Financial institutions

Northeast Bancorp also expects the move to make it more efficient.

Now the third-longest shutdown in history, there are few signs the government will reopen anytime soon, and that's causing problems for lenders.

On Sep. 30, 2018. Dollars in thousands.

Organizers are planning to raise up to $25 million for Tandem Bank.

On Sep. 30, 2018. Dollars in thousands.

Before the financial crisis, federal and state regulators unabashedly pitched their charters to banks as the better choice. That's happening again, despite warnings that such jousting might result in lax oversight.

Spirit Community Bank is the 15th bank to get the agency's approval this year. That list also includes Community Bank of the Carolinas, which was approved in early December.

Investors are spooked by banks' exposure to oil and other sectors threatened by a global slowdown as well as by policy uncertainties, but banks argue credit quality is strong and recession fears are exaggerated.

A big splash by Fifth Third, a bid by WSFS to reinvent itself and some bold long-distance expansions highlighted a year where deal activity held steady but premiums rose.

More banks were approved this year than any since the financial crisis. But challenges with raising capital, and a change in the political landscape, could deter prospective applicants next year.