Banking News

Figures from the USA's Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which insures deposits in regulated banks across the USA, show a horrifying picture during the first month of 2012.

Valley National Bancorp ("Valley"), the holding company of Valley National Bank, announced that the Certificates of Merger have been filed with the States of New York and New Jersey relating to its merger with State Bancorp, Inc.

Bank of North Carolina ("BNC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of BNC Bancorp, has completed the takeover of Regent Bank, South Carolina ("Regent Bank-SC"), a federal savings association in South Carolina and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Regent Bancorp, Inc., a Florida corporation.

F.N.B. Corporation completed its take-over of Parkvale Financial Corporation on 1 January, 2012.

Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. has completed the previously announced acquisition of Texas Bankers, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bank of Texas, Austin, Texas.

No doubt something will happen while we are away between today and 3 January,

But it won't be as important as this message:

We wish all our readers, customers and clients a very Merry Christmas and send our hopes for a 2012 that far surpasses 2011.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has granted a banking licence to BSI Ltd (BSI) under the Banking Ordinance. The licence takes effect from 7 December 2011.

It's "The Bank in Your Pocket." Payment cards, e-Payments, Mobile Payments and Kiosks all create specific risks of money laundering and terrorist financing. The Financial Crime Forum's ASIA PACIFIC FORUM 2012 will take place in Hong Kong and address all these inter-connected technologies and risks.

Everything before the "but" is a lie," goes the old saying. and when the USA's Securities and Investment Commission starts a media release with "While we respect...." you just know that there is going to be some anger at large.

Waccamaw Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBNK), the bank holding company for Waccamaw Bank, says that its stock will be de-listed from the NASDAQ Stock Market as of the opening of business on Wednesday, 23 November and that NASDAQ will file a Form 25-NSE with the Securities and Exchange Commission. That will remove the company's securities from listing and registration on NASDAQ.