Bridge Bancorp in Bridgehampton, N.Y., has agreed to buy FNBNY Bancorp in Merrick, N.Y.

Portfolio Recovery Associates Inc. (Nasdaq:PRAA), a Norfolk, Va.-based debt buyer, announced that company officials will present next week to the investment community at JMP Securities' Financial Services & Real Estate Conference in New York.

The $840 million-asset company will take a third-quarter charge of about $10 million on the sale of the loans, which have a book value of $33 million, it said.

The third quarter was marked by fewer but bigger deals. Higher prices could keep volume in check as sellers hold out for more. The fiscal showdown in Washington and related market swings could also complicate the balance of the year.

Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin in Madison has completed a $175 million recapitalization. With funding from private and institutional investors, the company has capital levels above the threshold regulators consider for being well-capitalized.

Several institutions in one of the nation's hardest-hit banking markets have shed enforcement actions, or have hired new leaders, as they attempt to stage comebacks.

U.S. Bancorp (USB) in Minneapolis has hired Bank of America (BAC) executive Michael Righi for two important West Coast jobs.

Expand by acquisition or through organic market penetration. The most successful banks will include both strategies in their future plans.

Investors Bancorp (ISBC) in Short Hills, N.J., and Roma Financial (ROMA) in Robbinsville, N.J., have extended the deadline for their merger while they wait for regulatory approval.

Chicago-based TransUnion Healthcare has acquired eScan Data Systems of Austin, Texas, a company that develops software to help hospitals and health care systems find and reduce uncompensated care costs.

With Braintree's technology, PayPal would have a stronger pitch for retailers' processing business. By that same token, banks would have another reason to work with PayPal.

Two law firms that specialize in bank M&A — Stinson Morrison Hecker in Kansas City, Mo., and Leonard, Street and Deinhard, in Minneapolis — have agreed to merge.

One PacificCoast Bancorp (OPCB) in Oakland, Calif., has received regulatory approval to acquire a controlling stake in Albina Community Bancorp (ACBC) in Portland, Ore.

A proposal that managers of collateralized loan obligations keep "skin in the game" could force them to shorten no-call periods on CLOs. An alternative would hurt banks that arrange these deals.

A revenue engine that generated $42 billion for three of the biggest U.S. banks in less than five years is beginning to sputter as some borrowing costs rise.

Home Federal Bancorp was looking for ways to grow its earning assets as the benefits of FDIC loss shares from two failed-bank deals faded. Lacking good prospects, it decided to sell itself to Banner Corp. More banks could find themselves in the same boat.

First Security Group (FSGI) in Chattanooga, Tenn., has completed a $5 million rights offering. The offering followed the company's April recapitalization, in which it raised $91.1 million from institutional and other accredited investors.

The late Ronald Coase’s work can help us understand why megabanks came into being – and why their days may be numbered.

The $4.24 billion-asset Banner said Tuesday it has agreed to buy Home Federal Bancorp (HOME) in Nampa, Idaho, for $197 million in cash and stock.

The $979 million-asset company plans to offer up to 1.4 million shares of common stock at $19 per share, according to a Sept. 12 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.