First Financial Bankshares (FFIN) in Abilene, Texas, said Thursday that it is consolidating all of its bank charters in an effort to cut expenses and boost profits.

Penns Woods Bancorp (PWOD) agreed to acquire Luzerne National Bank (LUZR) in Luzerne, Pa.

Pinnacle, the flagship bank unit of the $6.7 billion-asset Pinnacle Bancorp, agreed last Thursday to buy the $183 million-asset First State Bank of Joplin in Missouri. A day later, the bank announced plans to buy the $139 million-asset Hastings State Bank in Nebraska.

KCB Bank in Kearney, Mo., a unit of Bancshares of Missouri, filed an application this month with the Federal Reserve to assume the assets and liabilities of the $38 million-asset Northland National Bank in Gladstone, Mo.

WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department said Thursday it will auction off its preferred shares in 11 more institutions that remain in the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Jeff Davis Bancshares of Jennings, La., has agreed to acquire Guaranty Capital, as the buyer expands northward in its home state.

Consistency and ample communication are the cornerstones of acquisition announcements. Compassion and reassurance to your new team members flow to your customers and the community.

Third-quarter profit at Astoria Financial (AF) improved as it continues to emphasize multifamily and commercial real estate loans, and cut costs.

RBS Citizens Financial Group has hired JPMorgan Chase executive Michael J. Cleary to head its U.S. distribution for consumer banking.

M&T Bank in Buffalo and Comerica in Dallas have increased lending, but M&T is profiting more because of an important investment decision it made last year.

KBW named 42 small banks it says will have loan growth that far outpaces their peers and the overall economy next year. But half of them probably won't translate that into big profits.

The industry must work much harder to restore its reputation after this year's scandals, HSBC USA CEO Irene Dorner said Tuesday, in a speech that was part rally and part reprimand to bankers.

American State Bancshares in Great Bend, Kan., has taken a small step towards its goal of becoming a $1 billion-asset company.

Shares for M&T Bank Corp. (MTB) rose Wednesday after the Buffalo, N.Y., company reported that third-quarter income climbed 66%, to $273.9 million, from a year earlier.

He's the former head of Citi Holdings. He's a former Harvard University football star who was recruited by the National Football League. Now, at age 52, Michael Corbat is Citigroup's new chief executive officer.

Nonbank competitors are forcing financial institutions to utilize new skills sets. Conservative thinkers must now be imaginative, followers must become visionaries and the risk adverse must embrace uncertainty. Here's how to develop a forward-looking strategy in the changing landscape.

Third-quarter earnings rose more than 19% at Comerica (CMA) in Dallas from a year ago but fell short of expectations.

Bricks-and-mortar locations aren’t yet obsolete. Leading banks are responding to changing consumer demands by developing specialized branch formats, increasing their focus on advice and emphasizing proactive engagement with customers.

Bank of America Corp., the second- largest U.S. lender, said third-quarter profit dropped 95 percent on litigation expenses and an accounting charge tied to the firm's debt.

Strong net interest income helped Wintrust Financial (WTFC) overcome rising labor expenses and smaller gains on failed-bank acquisitions.