Recent proxy battles show that the high-stakes clashes are getting pricey for management teams and irate shareholders.

When making a point to banker groups about how much the week-to-week banking habits of Americans have changed in recent years, one simple question tends to create much side chatter, nods and chuckles.

Freed from an enforcement order that led it to sharply reduce its assets, Guaranty Bancorp in Denver is now turning its attention to growth.

TransUnion announced on Monday that it has finalized the purchase of a majority share in CRBAfrica, a credit risk management organization with a presence in eight countries across Africa. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Bank of America (BAC), before its shareholders approved the bank's $50 billion buy of Merrill Lynch in December 2008, was informed of far greater losses at the investment firm than had been disclosed in proxy documents filed with regulators, B of A's then-chief executive, Kenneth Lewis, disclosed in court documents filed late Sunday in a shareholder lawsuit, the New York Times reported Sunday on its website.

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Berkshire Hills is paying for its latest acquisition, of Beacon Federal, in a way that protects shareholder returns at the expense of its tangible book value.

American Chartered Bank in Schaumberg, Ill., has sold its health savings account business to Minnesota insurance company SelectAccount.

Equity Bancshares in Wichita, Kan., has filled its tank to fuel growth. The $600 million-asset company raised $20.4 million in capital that it plans to use for acquisitions and organic growth.

United Financial of Massachusetts is buying Connecticut's New England Banchares in a deal that makes a lot of strategic sense. Yet investors have given the buyer a rousing thumbs-down.

Banking, trading and risk management software all under one roof.

Incensed shareholders and lawsuits triggered by failed say on pay votes aren't the half of it. Just wait until the expected M&A wave unleashes 'say on golden parachute' litigation.

The Massachusetts company has grown in upstate New York by buying Rome Bancorp and opening about a dozen branches in recent years.

A clause in a merger deal between two small banks promises more cash for the seller if loans stay on track.

Shareholders frown on United Financial's all-stock deal for healthy bank in good market.

Chief Executive John Stumpf said during an investor conference in New York Thursday that the bank is in the market to buy insurance companies.

The investment bank FBR (FBRC) may put its asset-management business up for sale and, if it does, it is likely to draw significant interest from commercial banks.

The Federal Reserve Board's landmark decision to allow China's largest bank to acquire branches in New York and California is likely to trigger further expansion by Chinese banks into the U.S. market, according to Fitch Ratings.

Kip Weissman, partner with law firm Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick in Washington, says lack of options for small banks has more of them weighing whether to partner with similarly sized rivals.

Fitch Ratings has lowered its outlook on Trustmark Corporation (TRMK) from "stable" to "negative" following Jackson, Miss., company's announcement Tuesday that it is acquiring BancTrust Financial (BTFG) of Mobile, Ala.