Independent consultants, the Government Accountability Office, and lawmakers have warned banking regulators over the past month that their foreclosure reviews were unfocused, behind schedule and headed for disaster.

We revisit some of the best comments readers posted to AmericanBanker.com and BankThink.com in 2012.

C1 Bank will likely need to strengthen its compliance department before buying a branch in downtown Miami from U.S. Century Bank.

Jacksonville Bancorp (JAXB) in Florida has sold roughly $25.1 million of troubled assets and completed its previously announced $50 million capital raise.

Capitol Bancorp (CBCRQ) in Lansing, Mich., has reached a tentative agreement to sell its Sunrise Bank of Albuquerque to a group of unnamed investors.

Carlile Bancshares in Fort Worth, Texas, has completed a deal that adds significantly to its branch network in Colorado.

Private equity firms could unload their bank investments if a weak economy and sluggish earnings persist.

TF Financial (THRD) in Newtown, Pa., has agreed to acquire Roebling Financial (RBLG) in New Jersey for $14.5 million in stock and cash.

EVO Payments International plans to move into the Spanish market with a proposed acquisition of Banco Popular's merchant acquiring business.

MB Financial Bank in Chicago has purchased Celtic Leasing, a privately held equipment-leasing company.

United Community Bancorp (UCBA) in Lawrenceburg, Ind., has raised enough funds from its community offering to complete its second-step conversion.

Little guys are getting a rare chance to feast at a big guy's expense. Small banks nationwide are eagerly buying dozens of branches from B of A, which must slim down. However, the buyers are at risk of gorging themselves.

Unable to seal their deal, C1 Bank and U.S. Century have instead struck a new agreement that would still give C1 a foothold in the Miami area.

United Community Bancorp in Lawrenceburg, Ind., is extending its community offering after receiving insufficient orders for stock to complete its second-step conversion.

These financial services executives won't be sorry to see this year end and are hoping for better results in 2013.

Capital, cost-cuts and creativity. Those are three things banks, especially small ones, will need to ride out a period of low margins and stiff regulation until economic conditions improve, says BankUnited CEO John Kanas.

Red River Bancshares in Alexandria, La., plans to expand into the Baton Rouge area with a deal to buy Fidelity Bancorp.

In the most challenging banking environment in memory, BankUnited's John Kanas expects the winners to be those companies most adept at amassing capital, cutting costs and figuring out the innovation puzzle.

Payments processor TSYS will be able to offer a Square-like card reader to micro merchants now that its purchase of ProPay is complete.

The industry returned to sustainable (albeit tepid) profitability this year and housing appears to have bottomed. Regulatory fines and litigation continue to cast a pall on the future, however.