Branch closings draw big headlines, but several large banks are entering new markets — or bulking up in underrepresented cities — by adding branches and hiring lenders. Bank of America, for instance, is planning a retail push in Denver and Minneapolis.

H&R Block in Kansas City, Mo., and BofI Holding in San Diego have pushed back the closing date for transferring ownership of H&R Block Bank.

A bank's culture cannot be chosen. Its values and goals can be. And an appropriate combination of values and goals then creates the environment to achieve a positive and lasting culture.

Bank of the Ozarks in Little Rock, Ark., and WesBanco in Wheeling, W.Va., each completed acquisitions this week.

United Community Banks in Blairsville, Ga., has solidified Lynn Harton's hold as the eventual successor to Chief Executive Jimmy Tallent.

Metro Bancorp, which has been fielding calls to sell itself for nearly a year, disclosed that CEO Gary Nalbandian will take a medical leave to undergo bypass surgery. Metro's executive team will be tasked with an ongoing effort to improve performance and remain independent.

U.S. Bancorp in Minneapolis has appointed Amy Hurd as head of its in-store and on-site banking division.

Citizens & Northern Corporation in Wellsboro, Pa., has named J. Bradley Scovill its new president and chief executive officer.

Bank Mutual Corp. is planning to close seven branches in Wisconsin.

Wilshire Bancorp in Los Angeles has agreed to buy Manhattan Bancorp's mortgage lending division.

The Puerto Rican bank faces a deadline to raise capital or sell itself. With recapitalization a challenging prospect, here's a look at how other scenarios could play out.

A breakdown of M&A announcements in the financial services industry for the week ended Feb. 7.

Orange County Business Bank in Irvine, Calif., is facing a proxy battle from a Dallas investment firm.

The $94 billion-asset company said in a press release Monday that it had hired Terry Jenkins as president of Key Private Bank. He is succeeding Tim Swanson, who will remain KeyCorp's chief investment officer.

Ohio Valley Financial Group in Henderson, Ky., has merged with BankTrust Financial in Henderson.

Grand River Commerce in Grandville, Mich., has raised $10.7 million through a private placement.

Royal Bank of Canada's deal for City National showed that buyers will pay up for banks that cater to the wealthy. That's why First Republic, Boston Private and Signature Bank may soon find themselves facing offers they can't refuse.

Regulators are taking their review of CIT Group's agreement to buy OneWest Bank to a public forum, following community activists' complaints about the deal.

Delanco Bancorp in New Jersey began trading on Friday on the OTC Markets Group platform.

Banco Santander's stock market value plummeted after it announced an $8.8 billion capital raise and dividend cuts in January. The experience serves as a reminder to bank directors that the interests of investors cannot remain forever on the back burner.