While nine of the largest, most complex U.S. banks largely followed the same template in filing their "living wills," there were subtle but significant differences in their approach.

Officials with St. Helens Community Federal Credit Union in Oregon and nearby Wauna Federal Credit Union said they plan to merge to create a credit union with about $300 million in assets.

EverBank this week was the latest buyer to take advantage of the ripening market for books of commercial and other types of credits. Wells Fargo, City National and others have announced similar moves.

Lender Processing Services (LPS) has agreed to acquire LendingSpace, a provider of mortgage loan origination software.

Pacific Premier Bancorp (PPBI) in Costa Mesa, Calif., is considering raising up to $50 million in fresh capital so it can make more acquisitions if and when opportunities arise.

The favorable numbers behind EverBank's purchase of GE Capital's business lending arm are a blessing for investors who participated in the bank's disappointing public offering in May.

FDIC loss-sharing deals are significantly down this year as failures get smaller, bidders become more competitive and the economic situation improves.

Though bank deals have risen in Texas because of its robust economy and in California because of abundant capital, small Kansas banks are partnering because they worry about their viability as little guys.

A breakdown of M&A announcements for the week ended June 30.

Camden National Bank in Maine has agreed to sell a branch in Rockland, Maine, that it is buying from Bank of America (BAC) because of competition concerns raised by the Justice Department.

The thirst for greater clarity about capital spending and valuations is prompting bank buyers and sellers to flock to cash.

Sterling Financial (STSA) in Spokane, Wash., is selling all of its Montana branches as it aims to become more efficient and improve its overall profits. Eagle Bancorp is buying the branches for $7.3 million.

Seeking to diversify following its public offering in May, EverBank Financial (EVER) in Jacksonville, Fla., announced Monday that it is buying a commercial lending unit from GE Capital for $2.5 billion in cash.

Historically low interest rates and weak loan demand have masked the long-term profit potential of core deposits. When (not if) the cycle turns, community banks' earnings power will reappear.

In a slow stretch for issuance of bank shares, companies looking to raise capital for acquisitions have come to the fore in offerings that have performed relatively well.

The thirst for greater clarity on capital spending and valuations prompts dealmakers' flight to cash instead of stock in bank M&A.

American Banker readers share their views on the most pressing banking topics of the week. As excerpted from the Comments sections of AmericanBanker.com articles.

A Virginia Beach investment group has pulled the plug on its plan to buy a struggling bank in the Washington, D.C., suburbs.

Lehman Brothers said Friday it has sold its Aurora Bank subsidiary, a move that, coupled with an earlier sale of Lehman's Woodlands Commercial Bank, should help funnel some $1.5 billion into the pockets of Lehman's creditors.

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods CEO Thomas Michaud discusses the market for mergers and aquisitions, the close competition for deals with chief rival Sandler O'Neill & Partners, and what the future holds for his boutique investment bank.