Center Bancorp (CNBC) in Union, N.J., has agreed to buy ConnectOne Bancorp (CNOB) in Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS) has recognized Continental Service Group Inc., d.b.a. ConServe, as the top performing collection team for the last three months of 2013.

On Friday the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency closed the $61.7 million-asset DuPage National Bank in West Chicago, Ill. Its failure is expected to cost the Deposit Insurance Fund $1.6 million.

Old Second Bancorp (OSBC) in Aurora, Ill., is set to begin a stock offering that could help it dig out of a deep capital hole.

The Buffalo, N.Y., company still has some goodwill from analysts based on its reputation as a skilled bank buyer, but it has become the poster child for the risks associated with M&A in a tough regulatory environment.

Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) in Little Rock, Ark., got an earnings boost ahead of its acquisition of a Houston bank.

Bond Street Holdings in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., seems to have dodged the curse of the canceled bank deal.

M&T Bank (MTB) reported fourth-quarter earnings well short of analysts' estimates, capping a challenging year in which regulatory troubles led to spiraling costs.

Capital One Financial (COF) keeps waiting for its U.S. credit-card holders to become comfortable with a bit more debt. It's been a long delay, and one that will likely continue well into 2014.

The $2 billion-asset company said late Thursday that it would sell branches in Anthony and Harper to BancCentral in Alva, Okla. A third branch, in Overland Park, is being sold to Fidelity Bank in Wichita, Kan.

People's United (PBCT) in Bridgeport, Conn., reported a dip in quarterly profits as income from sales of residential mortgage loans fell.

Citigroup's core banking business showed good signs, including loan growth, but they were overshadowed by the stronger quarterly results of its rivals and questions about expense control.

Home Bancshares, the parent company of Centennial Bank of Conway, Ark., announced Thursday quarterly earnings of $13 million, down 23% from the same period in 2012.

Bay Commercial Bank (BCML) in Walnut Creek, Calif., has agreed to buy Bank On It Inc. (BKOT) in Stockton, Calif.

Simmons First National (SFNC) in Pine Bluff, Ark., plans to close 27 branches, according to regulatory filings.

Investcorp, a global provider and manager of alternative investment products, announced Thursday that, along with the founders of the TDX Group, it has agreed to sell TDX to Equifax Inc. for approximately $327 million.

Coconut Grove Bank in Miami has appointed a new chief financial officer: Samuel Milne, the former CFO of the struggling U.S. Century Bank.

Malvern Bancorp (MLVF) in suburban Philadelphia announced Wednesday the resignation of president and chief executive Ronald Anderson.

Customers Bancorp and CMS called off their merger and are fighting over whether Customers owes a $1 million breakup fee. Emotions run high in these cases, but bank execs need to learn to avoid such distractions to protect long-term growth strategies, experts warn.

The company paid out billions to settle mortgage issue, cut jobs and shed a noncore business. Investors hope those moves will position SunTrust for a solid 2014.