Bank buyers and sellers should pay attention to the Fed's recent approval of Cullen/Frost's acquisition of WNB Bancshares. Cullen/Frost had to agree to improve its fair-lending and other functions, underscoring the importance of buyers who work well in resolving compliance and other problems with regulators.

Eight community banks have transferred their shares to a new trading platform operated by OTC Markets Group in a bid to increase visibility for their stocks.

Bank of New York Mellon Corp., the world’s largest custody bank, said today it will take an $80 million to $100 million severance charge in the second quarter for unspecified cuts to its workforce.

The Puerto Rican company is looking to shore up its capital levels after the FDIC invalidated about 40% of its Tier 1 capital. Management will have plenty of challenges as it looks to fill the capital hole.

Meridian Bancorp (EBSB), the newly formed bank holding company for East Boston Savings Bank, could raise at least $233 million and as much as $364 million in its upcoming public offering.

A breakdown of M&A announcements in the financial services industry for the week ended May 17.

Regulators' recent moves to encourage lenders to relax standards have reignited a contentious debate over whether looser credit will revitalize the housing market or set it up for another disaster.

Many people in Florida were sure that M&A would pass over the Sunshine State for years after the financial crisis. But a recent influx of deals suggests that Florida hasn't lost its luster.

TS Banking Group in Treynor, Iowa, has agreed to buy Tioga Bank Holding Co. in Tioga, N.D.

CertusBank fired its founders for providing inaccurate budgets and for failing to devise a strategy after its failed-bank deals dried up, the Greenville, S.C., company said in court filings.

Malvern Bancorp (MLVF) in Paoli, Pa., is facing activist pressure to sell itself.

Illinois state regulators closed the $66.3 million-asset AztecAmerica Bank in Berwyn on Friday.

Sandy Spring Bancorp (SASR) in Olney, Md., said its second-quarter earnings will be reduced after a Maryland jury awarded a $6.05 million verdict in a case involving a former employee.

The $1.7 billion-asset Carlile — founded in 2009 to acquire banks in Texas and elsewhere — has agreed to buy Community Bankers Inc., Carlile President Don Cosby said Friday.

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HCBF Holding in Fort Pierce, Fla., has agreed to buy Highlands Independent Bancshares in Sebring, Fla.

Community & Southern Holdings in Atlanta has agreed to buy Alliance Bancshares in Dalton, Ga.

ANB Bank in Denver has agreed to buy Capital West Bank in Laramie, Wyo.

Cullen/Frost Bankers (CFR) in San Antonio has agreed to refrain from announcing more acquisitions until it improves its compliance programs.

Bankwell Financial Group (BWFG) of New Canaan, Conn., raised nearly $49 million through its initial public offering.