Mutual thrifts looking to convert to publicly traded companies run the risk of increased pressure from activist investors. While the conversion process alone makes it easier for dissidents to accumulate shares, some observers say mutuals are also suffering from lax enforcement of rules designed to protect them.

Sabal Financial, a Newport Beach, Calif., firm that invests in distressed assets, has acquired $69 million of loans from BB&T (BBT) of Winston-Salem, N.C.

If very different lines of business are walled off from one another, conflicts of interest and risk can be mitigated without losing any of the benefits of one-stop banking.

Eight months after abandoning plans to sell itself, BankUnited (BKU) in Miami Lakes, Fla., is once again weighing offers from potential buyers, the New York Post reported Friday.

It took the Denver company nearly a year to complete its purchase of a rival twice its size. The deal, which required raising capital to buffer against the seller's credit issues and complete a Tarp repayment, illustrates the difficulty of making small but ambitious acquisitions.

The troubled Royal Bank of Scotland is reluctant to sell its profitable Citizens Financial Group unit in the U.S., so investment bankers and others are urging it to sell its branches in two markets, Chicago and Detroit, where it is a relatively minor player.

Old National Bancorp (ONB) in Evansville, Ind., will sell or close 27 branches as part of ongoing efforts to cut costs.

Automobile finance firm Global Lending Services has acquired subprime auto loan originator, Resurgent Auto Finance, and has secured fresh capital for growth.

Aspiring bank buyers including Scott Custer of Piedmont Community Bank Holdings believe that proposed capital rules could reduce pricing and premiums for sellers.

Beltway politics is hurting bank M&A, consumer confidence — but it's also time for bankers to stop opposing Dodd-Frank, says the former Obama chief of staff.

The Floyd, Va., company posted a big loss after purging its balance sheet and absorbing costs of a May proxy battle. The fight, led by Douglas Schaller, brought in three new directors and the accelerated departure of Cardinal's longtime CEO.

Home BancShares, in Conway, Ark., has agreed to pay $1.4 million for Premier Bank in Tallahassee, Fla. Premier's parent is in bankruptcy proceedings, which could spur rival bids for Premier.

Pittsfield Township in southeastern Michigan has hired a collection agency to pursue fees resulting from accident responses on local highways.

Debt buyer Encore Capital Group, based in San Diego, announced Tuesday that Michael Haubenstock has joined the company as vice president and chief risk officer.

BBX Capital (BBX) posted a second-quarter net loss of $12.3 million for its last reporting period with BankAtlantic.

Mackinac Financial (MFNC) in Manistique, Mich., has raised roughly $11.6 million through a rights offering and the sale of common stock to an investor.