Performance reports

Commerce Bancshares in Kansas City, Mo., reported higher second-quarter profit, citing the appreciation of inflation-protected securities and higher loan interest.

BB&T's top executives are set to get up to $2.6 million in bonuses if the Susquehanna deal goes well. While viewed as a good way to make sure the deal works out well, some analysts note that M&A already contributes to executive compensation when it boosts earnings per share and return metrics.

Deposit premiums could rise at 20% of banks with up to $10 billion in assets. Many of those banks could rethink asset concentrations that would trigger higher assessments.

The former FDIC chairman said during a recent conference call that banks with a traditional model — essentially community banks — have been hurt by the Fed's interest rate policy and the trickle-down tactics of regulation.

After it all but stopped making real estate and development loans following the housing crash, Farmers & Merchants Bank has increased its real estate loans by more than 61% over the last two years. It's a figure that's likely to keep rising as California's real estate market heats up and the $5.6 billion-asset bank continues to add commercial real estate, construction and mortgage lending specialists to keep pace.

The agency's Semiannual Risk Perspective pinpointed compliance and operational risk as potential problems for big banks while it outlined a different set of challenges for midsize and community banks.

The Bancorp in Wilmington, Del., again delayed the filing of its annual report after it found $24 million in additional loan losses that should have been reported in earlier periods.

After scaling back its U.S. operations, Popular Inc. plans to focus on niche commercial lending markets, including financing for elder care and assisted living facilities.

New data from the League of Southeastern Credit Unions found that CUs in Florida and Alabama added more than 100,000 new members during the first three months of 2015 as well as some other impressive gains.

Its credibility damaged by shoddy lending and questionable accounting, the Birmingham, Ala., company rebuilt its reputation by putting customers and communities first.

In a milestone for our annual reputation survey, eight regional banks achieved 'excellent' scores, partly because of a renewed focus on doing what's best for the customer, even at the expense of their bottom lines. Big banks lost some of the momentum they had, but none remain in the 'weak' zone.

Access National's four-year-old wealth management subsidiary has grown rapidly and is poised to enter the black. The allure of fee revenues has drawn many community banks into this field amid weak loan growth and tight interest margins.

Community banks get almost half of their service charges from overdraft fees. That could become problematic as regulators continue to look into the issue.

Pressure from community groups forced Valley National Bancorp to strengthen its commitment to lend in low-and moderate-income neighborhoods in order to win approval for a Florida acquisition. Other banks, too, are now placing CRA efforts front-and-center as they aim to sell deals to the public and their regulators.

The NCUA is proposing changes that would allow credit unions to approve applications more expeditiously, eliminating an edge long held by banks. The agency is also ready to let members make more commercial development loans.

The yield curve has steepened in recent weeks, but bankers caution that it could take months or years for any benefits — or risks — to become apparent in financial results.

BOK Financial in Tulsa, Okla., and Webster Financial in Waterbury, Conn., each reported that its Tier 1 common equity ratio would remain above regulators' minimum guideline, as regional banks continue to disclose Dodd-Frank Act stress-test results.

Revere Bank in Laurel, Md., has raised $15.5 million through a private placement of its common stock. The $717 million-asset bank sold 1 million shares at $15.50 per share.

Institutions with $5 billion to $50 billion in assets have gained a bigger slice of the industry's assets since 2010 by focusing on specialized lending and redefining their markets.

Worth Carter is reluctant to talk to investors and media. He is tight-fisted with costs and is willing to hold off making loans. His namesake bank doesn't offer online banking. But the institution is riding a hot streak of profitability that would make other banks jealous.