Prosperity Bancshares (PB), Kentucky First Federal (KFFB), Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) and Talmer Bancorp all entered 2013 with added heft.

Executives from four community banks established during the last wave of de novo bank creation talk about their experiences in surviving the economic crisis and their plans for when the economy rebounds.

Bank of America's brokerage and JPMorgan Chase's asset-management division are among businesses ripe for divestiture if U.S. banks break up to improve stock prices, according to CLSA's Mike Mayo.

Bank mergers and acquisitions will increase only slightly as capital levels and regulatory limits prompt buyers to choose targets carefully, says Nadine Mirchandani of Ernst & Young.

Avoid a change if your bank lacks the ability or resources to implement it successfully. Instead, consider accepting low growth, managing the institution for cash and returning the excess capital to shareholders.

Independent consultants, the Government Accountability Office, and lawmakers have warned banking regulators over the past month that their foreclosure reviews were unfocused, behind schedule and headed for disaster.

We revisit some of the best comments readers posted to AmericanBanker.com and BankThink.com in 2012.

C1 Bank will likely need to strengthen its compliance department before buying a branch in downtown Miami from U.S. Century Bank.

Jacksonville Bancorp (JAXB) in Florida has sold roughly $25.1 million of troubled assets and completed its previously announced $50 million capital raise.

Capitol Bancorp (CBCRQ) in Lansing, Mich., has reached a tentative agreement to sell its Sunrise Bank of Albuquerque to a group of unnamed investors.

Carlile Bancshares in Fort Worth, Texas, has completed a deal that adds significantly to its branch network in Colorado.

Private equity firms could unload their bank investments if a weak economy and sluggish earnings persist.

TF Financial (THRD) in Newtown, Pa., has agreed to acquire Roebling Financial (RBLG) in New Jersey for $14.5 million in stock and cash.

EVO Payments International plans to move into the Spanish market with a proposed acquisition of Banco Popular's merchant acquiring business.

MB Financial Bank in Chicago has purchased Celtic Leasing, a privately held equipment-leasing company.

United Community Bancorp (UCBA) in Lawrenceburg, Ind., has raised enough funds from its community offering to complete its second-step conversion.

Little guys are getting a rare chance to feast at a big guy's expense. Small banks nationwide are eagerly buying dozens of branches from B of A, which must slim down. However, the buyers are at risk of gorging themselves.

Unable to seal their deal, C1 Bank and U.S. Century have instead struck a new agreement that would still give C1 a foothold in the Miami area.

United Community Bancorp in Lawrenceburg, Ind., is extending its community offering after receiving insufficient orders for stock to complete its second-step conversion.

These financial services executives won't be sorry to see this year end and are hoping for better results in 2013.