Whether the number of deals for 2020 can come close to last year's record-setting level will come down to one question: Can community banks generate strong enough profits in the second half to justify their independence?

Whether the number of deals for 2020 can come close to last year's record-setting level will come down to one question: Can community banks generate strong enough profits in the second half to justify their independence?

SC Telco Federal Credit Union and Anderson FCU will adopt the name Spero Financial once their merger takes effect early next year.

The Nashville-based institution is still awaiting regulatory approval on a proposal to operate as a subsidiary of Fortera Credit Union.

The Federal Reserve could ease capital rules, foster the creation of special-purpose banks and take other steps to strengthen minority communities and businesses without legislation being sought in Congress — if it has the will to do so, experts say.

The St. Louis company is gaining a sizable Small Business Administration platform and several niche deposit teams. Keeping those specialists in the fold will be key to the acquisition's success.

Wirecard, which is trying to sell pieces of its embattled company while rivals pick up its clients, has struck a deal to sell its U.K. division, Wirecard Card Solutions, to Railsbank, an open banking and payments technology firm.

USAL Bancorp will have nearly $300 million in assets after it buys Escambia County Bank.

The company will pay $156 million for a bank with a large Small Business Administration lending platform.

The Missouri company 's deal for Clifford Bancshares is set to close later this year.