Jimmy Dunne, a senior managing principal at the Sandler O'Neill, recently discusses the state of bank M&A, the importance of size and scale and why he never wants to take his New York investment bank public.

First Merchants in Muncie, Ind., has agreed to acquire C Financial in Columbus, Ohio.

The hunt for scale has long been one of the chief reasons for dealmaking, but Jimmy Dunne, senior managing principal of Sandler O'Neill, says that today's operating and regulatory environment shows the true need to find efficiency through size.

The regulatory environment for small deals is improving as regulators see how consolidation can help move the industry further away from the crisis, says Jimmy Dunne, senior managing principal of Sandler O'Neill.

Chemical Financial in Midland, Mich., has agreed to buy Lake Michigan Financial in Holland.

Federal Savings Bank in Chicago has agreed to buy Baytree National Bank & Trust in Lake Forest, Ill.

A breakdown of M&A announcements in the financial services industry for the week ended Jan. 3.

Guaranty Bancshares in Mount Pleasant, Texas, has agreed to buy Texas Leadership Bank in Royse City.

The number of mutuals is shrinking, but those committed to the charter still have options. Attorney Kip Weissman of Luse Gorman discusses the possibilities of charter conversions for those looking to throw in the towel and potential regulatory moves that could help the ailing charter class.

A unit of Provident Financial Services in Jersey City, N.J., has agreed to buy an investment adviser.

The Bancorp in Wilmington, Del., has sold nearly $267 million of commercial loans to an investor group.

It hasn't been easy for banks to get out of loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC, but Bank of the Ozarks recently secured the most significant early-termination deal yet. It could be a sign that banks and the regulator are getting on the same page.

First NBC Bank Holding in New Orleans has agreed to buy State Investors Bancorp in New Orleans.

Some paid hefty fines, others lost the confidence of investors and a few respected industry leaders suffered untold damage to their reputations. Here are 10 individuals, groups of people and companies who are happy to see 2014 end and look forward to better days in 2015.

The cash register company turned ATM maker purchased online and mobile banking provider Digital Insight to better compete in digital banking and to let banks offer customers seamless interactions between channels.

Ironhorse Financial Group in Muskogee, Okla., has agreed to acquire Benefit Financial Group in Fort Smith, Ark.

Investors have been waiting for George Martinez to take Allegiance Bancshares public, and 2015 was expected to be the year. But a slide in oil prices might complicate the prospects. Still, with an acquisition to integrate and a team that produces 20% annual loan growth, he is looking forward to the coming year.

United Financial Bancorp in Glastonbury, Conn., is planning to close five branches and lay off the employees who work in them.

FNBK Holdings in Dallas has agreed to acquire the First National Bank of Kemp in Texas.

Valley National in Wayne, N.J., will use proceeds from a branch sale in New York City to offset costs tied to prepaying debt.