A good-news/bad-news story is the best way to describe fourth quarter 2011 results. The numbers also hold clues to where the banking business is heading.

Did an anonymous open letter to BankUnited CEO John Kanas, emailed to all of the bank's employees, imploring him not to sell the bank really have an impact on the decision to abandon the sale?

Gateway Bancshares Inc. in Ringgold, Ga., is selling itself to rival First Volunteer Corp. in Chattanooga, Tenn., and its chief executive said that the decision was driven largely by the need for scale.

Kelly King said he is willing to pass on deals, a day after its reported target, BankUnited, opted to remain independent.

Glacier Bancorp Inc. in Kalispell, Mont., is planning to collapse its 11 bank subsidiaries into a single commercial bank in a move aimed at streamlining its operations and lowering its overall compliance costs.

Wintrust Financial Corp. in Lake Forest, Ill., reported late Wednesday that its fourth-quarter earnings rose 35% from a year earlier, to $19.2 million, as credit costs subsided and the company benefited from an 11% jump in earning assets from a year earlier.

Bank of America Corp. closed out the turbulent 2011 year with better-than-expected revenue in the final three months, driving the bank to a fourth-quarter profit compared with the prior year's loss.

BankUnited issued a press release confirming rumors that it did in fact engage an investment bank to find a possible buyer for the company, but has opted to stay independent.

Target Corp., which has tried for years to sell its credit card assets, is giving up for now, and it is spending more than $2.8 billion to divorce itself from JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Complaint also seeks to bar Alan Levan, the company's chairman and CEO, from serving as an officer or director of any public company.

Target Corp., which has tried for years to sell its credit card receivables, said Wednesday that it has temporarily "suspended" its efforts — and is spending more than $2.8 billion to divorce itself from JPMorgan Chase.

Corporate One FCU, which announced plans in September to combine with Florida-based Southeast Corporate FCU, said this afternoon the two corporates have signed a definitive merger pact.

If you run a bank in New York City, be advised that Jack Kopnisky is aiming to steal away some of your best lending officers now that his bank has an agreement to buy one of your local rivals.

In contrast to its more ambitious plan to expand in Florida through acquisitions, BB&T Corp. is taking a measured approach to growth in Texas.

PNC CEO James Rohr said more deals are possible after it completes the acquisition of RBC USA, but he vowed to be "very judicious" and said PNC could open new branches where needed.

Malvern Federal Bancorp Inc.'s stock price soared to its highest level since mid-summer Wednesday after the Paoli, Pa., company announced that it is converting from a mutual holding company to a 100% stock-owned company.

Provident New York Bancorp in Montebello said Wednesday that it has agreed to acquire Gotham Bank of New York for roughly $40.5 million in cash.

Select Bank & Trust Co. in Greenville, N.C., said Tuesday that it has completed its acquisition of Gibsonville Community Bank from Bank of Atlanta.

Landmark Bancorp Inc. in Manhattan, Kan., is buying Wellsville Bancshares Inc. in what would be its first bank acquisition in more than six years.

Weakened growth prospects and more regulatory hoops could prompt private equity firms to unload bank holdings.