Three banks failed Friday – including two in Florida – and will cost the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. an estimated $86 million. Regulators seized the $200 million-asset Excel Bank in Sedalia, Mo.; the $159 million-asset GulfSouth Private Bank in Destin, Fla.; and the $67 million-asset First East Side Savings Bank in Tamarac, Fla.

First Financial Northwest in Renton, Wash., a $973 million-asset company, lost $791,000 in the third quarter, compared to net income of $1.4 million in the second quarter and profit of $623,000 a year earlier.

First Niagara, a Buffalo, N.Y., company, has grown significantly through recent acquisitions but now it wants to cut expenses. Management plans to then reinvest those funds in fee-generating businesses.

Regulators have announced the winning bidder for assets of failed Tennessee Commerce Bank.

The director selection model for too many U.S. banks does not reflect the industry's risk profile realities of 2012.

E-Trade Financial's (ETFC) shares plummeted Friday after the company reported a $28.6 million loss for the third quarter as its provision for loan loss rose and revenue declined.

Elavon and Banco Santander have expanded their existing relationship by agreeing to establish a payment services joint venture together in Spain.

First Niagara Financial Group's earnings slid during the third quarter because of a higher loan-loss provision and a securities sale.

Removing the bank embedded in H&R Block would turn the biggest U.S. tax preparer into a potential takeover target.

A rein on expenses and a pickup in lending and fees propelled People's United Financial in the third quarter.

The acquisition of Rochdale Investment Management helped raise City National Corp.'s third-quarter income 44% from a year earlier to $59.8 million.

Stephen Steinour, CEO of Huntington Bancshares, played up its efforts to manage asset yields and control funding costs after investors took a dim view of its narrower net interest margin.

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.