Strategic planning

First Foundation is in transformation mode, after a capital infusion and new management gave it some power to remix its challenged balance sheet. But the bank just took its third quarterly loss out of the last four quarters.

The San Antonio-based company plans to remain in state borders, but sees opportunity for growth in major markets.

Flagstar Bank wants to merge its holding company into the bank, which would cut $15 million in annual expenses and eliminate regulatory oversight by the Federal Reserve, leaving the OCC as its primary regulator. The bank's CEO, Joseph Otting, is a former comptroller of the currency.

The megabank announced it would invest $16 million to grow its footprint in the North Carolina banking mecca.

Some banks hope to use M&A as a way to play defense, either because they need to shore up their deposits or because they have aging CEOs and are looking for an exit. But investors aren't wild about the deal math.

The transaction comes as the megabank is determined to simplify its operating model and shed units that have slower growth prospects or aren't core to its business.

A recent deal involving a troubled Texas bank shows that even the most lopsided depository can find an exit.

The Connecticut-based community bank announced a raft of new board and executive appointments, giving shape to a new strategy aimed at winning more business from high-net-worth individuals.

The Pennsylvania company spent the last five years adding lines of business, cleaning up its balance sheet and leveling up its technology. This year, Customers needs to churn out consistent earnings to prove that the investments were worth the costs.

The Pennsylvania bank, which is working to diversify its deposit base and increase its access to low-cost deposits, has brought on some 10 commercial banking teams in the last year.

The Sunshine State deal comes following a banner year for credit union-bank combinations, despite pushback from community banking advocates.

Equity Bancshares said it would pay nearly $87 million in cash and stock to acquire NBC Corp. of Oklahoma. If it closes, the deal will be Equity's 13th bank acquisition since 2015.

The proposed sale of Territorial Bancorp faced competing offers that delayed its closing by several months. But Hope ultimately won shareholder and regulatory approvals.

"I can't just go fishing in the ocean," said Grasshopper Bank CEO Michael Butler, referring to his bank's ability to gather deposits. "JPMorgan Chase is out there with a yacht, and I'm driving a small speedboat."

Small lenders across the country, including Forte Bank in Wisconsin, promoted and recruited chief executives in recent weeks.

Royal Bank of Canada executives said they plan to start originating more mortgages in the United States, and they indicated that they may ditch the City National Bank brand.

The Connecticut bank disclosed that Nasdaq waived a shareholder approval requirement so it could urgently raise more than $50 million. Patriot also said its finance chief would step down.

The Mississippi lender said regulators have signed off sooner than expected on its $103.6 million acquisition of First Chatham Bank. The bank's CEO and deal advisers said the speedy approval bodes well for future M&A.

The Connecticut bank said its newly minted president, Steven Sugarman, successfully led a private placement and signed a long-term employment agreement that makes him a potential CEO. David Lowery, current chief executive of Patriot, plans to step down in April.

Federal Reserve policymakers said that the U.S. economy remains on sound footing, despite recent setbacks, and that two interest rate cuts lie ahead. Bank stocks advanced on hopes for loan growth and more M&A.