First Banks, a $6.5 billion-asset company, posted third-quarter earnings of $8.5 million, compared with a net loss of $2.1 million a year earlier.

Portfolio Recovery Associates, a Norfolk, Va.-based debt buyer, expects to hire more than 100 people at a Tennessee call center that currently has an estimated 350 employees.

The city of Memphis, Tenn. likely will end its relationship with Texas-based Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson as the collection agency deals with a class-action lawsuit in the city.

Kelly S. King, the chairman and chief executive of BB&T (BBT), has been appointed to the Federal Advisory Council.

Talmer Bancorp has agreed to buy and recapitalize First Place Bank in Warren, Ohio, in a deal that will work its way through the bankruptcy process.

The transit authority in Vancouver, B.C., is searching for collection agencies to help pursue millions of dollars in unpaid fares.

Hurricane Sandy's much-anticipated arrival has cast a shadow over the week's bond calendar and could cause several issuers to announce delays.

State Bank Financial (STBZ) in Atlanta reported a drop in quarterly earnings as income tied its past failed-bank deals fell.

Banks in the Magnolia State have built up capital and profits, and their owners are hoping the state's poor national reputation will shield them for a while from big rivals and M&A trends.

Investors are buying more of the riskier portions of collateralized loan obligations, fueling the CLO market and demand for bank loans.

Cattail Bancshares in Atwater, Minn., has finally landed a deal after several years on the prowl. The $120 million-asset company has agreed to buy the $61 million-asset Citizens State Bank of Waverly.

Customers Bancorp's third-quarter earnings increased by 184% from a year earlier after the Wyomissing, Pa., company grew its balance sheet.

Oriental Financial Group (OFG) has priced its public offering that will it raise capital to buy the Puerto Rican operations of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria.

Ally Bank has started to explore strategic alternatives for its business lending operations and its servicing rights on agency mortgages.

Investors Bancorp (ISBC) in Short Hills, N.J., reported higher third-quarter earnings because of loan growth and better credit.

Citigroup Inc. (C) was fined $2 million after a junior analyst improperly disclosed confidential information before Facebook Inc.'s initial public offering, Massachusetts' top financial watchdog said.

EverBank Financial (EVER) showed during the third quarter that it was willing to sacrifice its net interest margin to build both sides of its balance sheet.

Joseph Ficalora, the CEO of New York Community Bancorp, blames the tumble in its shares this week on traders betting against the company ahead of its third-quarter earnings report.

C.G. Kum, the CEO of First California Financial Group, gave inconclusive answers to analysts' questions about whether the $2 billion-asset company can resist shareholder calls to seek buyer.

Experts believe more Tarp participants will fail as the economy plods along, and that investors should keep this in mind when bidding on auctions of the Treasury's Tarp holdings.