In the wake of his Deloitte crackdown last week, New York financial regulator Benjamin Lawsky called for more reforms, and punishments, of the bank consulting industry.

Like a lot of buyers, Southern Missouri Bancorp would like to acquire bigger banks, but in agreeing to buy Bank of Thayer and its parent for $6.5 million, its execs say they are being realistic and going for what is available.

A breakdown of M&A announcements in the financial services industry for the week ended June 22.

Shareholders of San Diego Trust Bank have approved the bank's sale to Pacific Premier (PPBI) in Irvine, Calif.

Southern Missouri Bancorp in Poplar Bluff, Mo., has agreed to buy Ozarks Legacy Community Financial in Thayer, Mo.

Two American Banker staffers who cover mergers and acquisitions have a confession to make. We sometimes get so enmeshed in the arcane numbers behind bank deals that we overlook what really makes them tick: the human element.

The chief executive and three directors of Atlantic Coast Financial (ACFC) are leaving the company after shareholders rejected a proposed sale to Bond Street Holdings earlier this month.

As part of the heavy competition in New York, BankUnited CEO John Kanas has swiped a number of bankers away from rivals, including Capital One and Signature Bank. Most worked for him at the old North Fork Bank.

California Republic Bancorp in Irvine has securitized and sold $238 million of notes backed by its car loans.

The NCUA has approved the mergers of several struggling credit unions, including four more in California.

F&M Bank Corp. (FMBM) in Timberville, Va., has named new chief financial and administrative officers at its bank unit as part of a series of promotions.

First PacTrust Bancorp (BANC) in Irvine, Calif., is planning to raise about $46 million through a sale of common stock.

Banks on the block are still trading at reasonable valuations, and their financials are offering more clarity than in the recent past. That's has some industry observers believing that the stars are aligning for deals to get done. For sellers, the dilemma is whether to take the modest multiples on offer or hold for more at the risk of missing out altogether.

Republic First may try to revive its 2008 deal to sell itself to Metro Bancorp. That effort died at the feet of regulators but still makes sense in the eyes of some. Other banks are said to be asking similar questions about old deals.

In New Jersey, unpaid municipal court fines and fees total $246 million. Towns throughout the state are turning to collection agencies to bring in some of that money.

OptimumBank Holdings (OPHC) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., can keep listing its shares on the Nasdaq now that a reverse stock split has brought the stock above the exchange's minimum price.

Banks will have to scrutinize their relationships with consultants, brace for the possibility of a wave of regulation of consulting practices and have backup plans in case a key advisor ever receives a punishment like the one New York state dealt Deloitte.

Sabal Financial, a buyer of distressed debt, has established Sabal Third Party Servicing, which will service commercial real estate and construction loans nationwide.

The $130 million-asset parent of Guernsey Bank said Tuesday it would pay roughly $5 million for Ohio State, which has three branches in the Columbus area.

The $804 million-asset bank will offer as many as 1.45 million shares to the public at $14.25 a share, which could produce as much as $20.7 million.