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The article focuses on El Paso, Texas as a location for several banks and the supremacy of management over market location in regards to bank performance. United Bank of El Paso del Norte president Lester Parker believes that location does not matter as long as banks stick to solid banking principals and do not get greedy. It states that United Bank benefits from being in El Paso, Texas, but it does not mean that all banks in the area are doing good.

This article presents growth opportunities for banking in parts of the United States that are experiencing or are expected to see growth in population. The author discusses market saturation in the sunbelt states and how community banks can determine margins and break-even analysis in the areas they want to enter. Markets in counties around older cities and vacation areas are discussed such as St. George, Utah, Bend Oregon and Coeur d'Alene Idaho.

The article features MapInfo software, by MapInfo Corp., an intelligence locator that helps a bank fit its branch location. It helps determine whether a bank needs maximum visibility, or does it need to be located with a bunch of other banks. It also assists on which part of the town has the highest population growth and which part has the highest income growth.

The article discusses the preferred banking partnership between Bank of the West and the University of California, Berkeley. Topics explored include the installation of a Bank of the West branch and automated teller machines (ATM) at the university's student center, factors considered by the university in selecting a bank to partner with, and the employment of university students at the bank.

The article discusses the relocation of First National Bank of Pennsylvania's regional headquarters and a suburban branch to the state's capital city Harrisburg. First National's strategy for building market share is noted. The city's municipal spending and filing for bankruptcy which was rejected in court are mentioned. The article notes four state capital cities that have at least one community bank with significant deposit market share located there.

The article discusses the financial performance of Bank of Hawaii Corp. and Central Pacific Financial Corp. which exceeded analysts' expectations for first-quarter 2011. Bank of Hawaii reported earnings of $42.4 million. Central Pacific reported $4.6 million in earnings. Factors contributing to the banks' profitability are discussed including lower credit costs, reduced loan-loss provisions, and an improved local economy.

The article reports on bank recapitalizations in the U.S. Pacific Northwest region as of March 8, 2011. Cascade Financial Corp.'s deal to acquire Opus Bank and how Opus will be merged are discussed. Cascade Bancorp's private-equity and Sterling Financial Corp.'s private equity and common equity raise recapitalizations are noted.

The article looks at the reasons why small bank in the U.S. are relocating their operations in merger and acquisition deals. Topics mentioned include relocation of Sunflower Financial from Salina in Texas to Denver in Colorado, the growth potential of Richmond, Virginia according to Virginia BanCorp President Frank Scott, and the estimated number of businesses that operate around Richmond as of February 8, 2017.

This article reports that Michigan's ailing economy is testing banks there, but its wealthiest county is still attracting new institutions. Three banks have set up in Oakland County in 2007, including Level One Bank of Farmington Hills, which opened in October with $15 million of capital. Patrick Fehring, Level One's chairman, president, and chief executive, said Oakland has been less affected by the economic downturn than most other regions of the state.

The article discusses Sun Bancorp Inc.'s consideration of cutting expenses. Sidney R. Brown, the vice chairman and acting president and chief executive officer, said the company is considering cutting its 72-branch network by up to 27 percent. The bank plans to discuss whether 15 to 20 underperforming branches with less than $20 million of deposits need better locations or staff overhauls in May and June of 2007.

The article discusses Zions Bancorp.'s announcement that it would buy Stockmen's Bancorp Inc. of Kingman, Arizona. The deal will be closed in the first quarter and Stockmen's $1.2 billion in assets will be merged with Zions' National Bank of Arizona. Zions' chairman, Harris H. Simmons, says the company was interested in the bank due to it's location and its growth prospects, both of which are a suitable match for Zions.

This article discusses the growth of interest in Asian markets among U.S. and European insurance firms. American International Group and MetLife, Inc., two large U.S-based insurance firms, have reported growth in insurance product sales among Asian consumers. These two corporations, along with a growing number of others, have begun to offer services that combine traditional banking and insurance services, creating a central location for financial services.

Looks at a bank branch built by Pontiac National Bank in an undeveloped area next to a busy highway. How the bank built the branch building so it could also house two retail businesses; Comments from H. Edward Vogelsinger of Pontiac; Tenants who rent space from the bank; Pontiac's efforts to attract beneficial tenants; Statistics about the bank's and a coffee shop tenant's financial performance since opening in April.

Discusses the banking market in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. How five bank branches opened in the city in the year prior to May 2005; Acquisition of community banks in the market; Reasons for banking companies' attraction to Baton Rouge, including its stable economy; Analysis of the market.

Focuses on the purchase of NorCrown Bank in New Jersey by Valley National Bancorp. Conviction of NorCrown's owner, Charles Kushner, for tax fraud; View of Valley National's chief executive officer, Gerald H. Lipkin, that the bank is a solid company; Financial and other information about NorCrown, including number of branches and 2003 net income; Discussion of the deal agreement; History of NorCrown; Location of branches; Background on Kushner; Comment of analysts Gerard Cassidy and Anthony R. Davis; Due diligence conducted by Valley National before agreeing to the transaction.

Reports on the purchase of Union Bank of Florida by Colonial BancGroup Inc. and the influence it will have on the character of Colonial. Financial details of the transaction; Details of the recent purchases made by Colonial; Location of the majority of the banks owned by the company; Depiction of the Alabama company as consisting of property mostly located in Florida; Comments by president W. Flake Oakley; Reasons for purchasing the bank; Nature of Colonial's holdings in Florida.

Discusses the outlook for community banks that want to expand in Florida. Growth of BankUnited Financial Corp., despite competition for prime sites; How the Wachovia Corp. deal to buy SouthTrust Corp. can benefit Florida business; The desirable location of SouthTrust branch offices; Views of Vince Elhilow of Fidelity Bankshares Inc. and BankUnited's Carlos Fernandez-Guzman about the competitive banking market and price of land; Background on Wachovia's closing branch offices; View of banker William Spute and others about the opportunity to expand.

The usefulness of in-store branches is a hotly debated topic in the banking industry. But some institutions are successfully landing customers -- and increasingly valuable deposits -- through such locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research and consultants' views on the U.S. banking industry, branch closings, and the location of branch banks. Celent consulting firm's report indicates branch traffic will continue to decline over the next five years and suggests banks focus on online and mobile services. The executives noted are Bob Meara, Philip Flynn, David Darst, Kevin Travis, Tony Driscoll, and Carol McMullen.

The article reports on the plans that the financial firm J. P. Morgan Chase & Co. has to move into a building in London, England's Canary Wharf development in an effort to consolidate 10,000 of its investment banking employees that work in several locations across London.

The article discusses the opening of a branch bank in Beijing, China by the trust bank Northern Trust Corp. The branch office will allow the financial services industry firm to deal directly with Chinese clients rather than through its offices in Hong Kong and Singapore. Two other U.S. trust banks, State Street Corp. and Bank of New York Mellon Corp. have received approval from China to open branches there.

The article reports on the expansion of the automated teller machine (ATM) network by Ahli Bank Co. Ltd. in Qatar. The bank deployed three new ATMs in Doha. A spokesperson of the bank says that they are planning to set up several other ATMs in various locations in the country within 2010. It is mentioned that the bank is a member of the Ahli United Bank Group.

The article reports that UBS AG is moving forward with a strategy to open U.S. offices in 2009 dedicated to private wealth management. Commentary on the locations of the new offices is provided by John Straus, chairman of UBS Private Bank. UBS AG has to contend with a difficult set of circumstances in 2008 including the financial crisis, the article notes.

The author offers opinions on branch bank management. Major banks are attempting to reduce the number of their branch bank operations as a cost control measure. This process is seen as containing dangers for the bank's management, as closing the wrong branches could negatively affect profits. Managers are urged to consider branch bank management as well as location and other economic factors when closing branches.

The article reports that Capitol Bancorp Ltd. is planning to open a branch in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh area has seen very limited growth in its banking sector. Ted Randall, who previously worked as an executive for Fifth Third Bancorp, will be the chief executive officer (CEO) of the new bank.

The article reports that Tio Networks Corp. announced in August 2008 that it is offering walk-in bill-payment services to customers of DolEx Dollar Express Inc. (DEI). Topics of discussion include bill-payment interface, remittance systems, and areas with large Latino populations. Tio's processing network is also described.

This article reports that the Stock Yard Bank and Trust Co. has moved their offices into the former Federal Reserve Bank building in Cincinnati, Ohio. The $1.4 billion-asset unit of S.Y. Bancorp Inc. had been scouting for more space in Cincinnati since it opened a private banking office in a temporary location at the Scripps Center. That office was the bank's first in Ohio.

This article describes how Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania based Eureka Bancorp expanded from its one location of 120 years to open a new branch. A Shop n Save supermarket in nearby Shaler Township was expanding its facility and was seeking a free-standing bank next to its property. Eureka was seeking a site of similar demographics and partnered with the supermarket taking on the construction loan and mortgage.

A correction to a reference made about the location of First Premier Bank in the August 17, 2007 issue is presented.

The article discusses the challenges involved in transforming buildings designed as fast-food restaurants into bank branches. Since zoning approvals take time, many banks retain the building's original footprint. Purchasing a building offers time and cost benefits. Real estate can be expensive and scarce, especially in urban and densely populated areas. It can take up to three years for a new branch to break even. Selecting the right site can accelerate the break-even point.

The article reports on a decision by M&T Bank Corp. of Buffalo, New York to open a bank branch in June 2007. The branch will be located in the Southwest Airlines terminal at the Baltimore/Washington International Airport. Middle Atlantic regional bank president Woody Collins hopes that the M&T airport location will improve banking services for customers. In 2007 M&T will open six branches in this region.

The article provides tips to help underperforming banks entice buyers. The author recommends an organizational review focused on distinguishing the bank from other institutions like it, developing services with fees to stimulate financial growth, and opening branches in growing geographic markets. The author also suggests hiring an industry expert to provide guidance and engaging in acquisitions.

The article reports that bankers were planning establish a new locations for branches or banking centers in a high-growth regions in the U.S. Hal Hopson of MapInfo Corp. pointed out the importance of taking advantage of something beyond basic geographic information system analysis when scouting potential locations for branches or banking centers.

Focuses on the role that community ties play in the success of new bank branches. Suggestion of Darryl M. Demos, chief executive of Demos Solutions, a bank consulting and software company, that banks planning to expend into new markets employ the best local branch managers; Praise given to Commerce Bancorp of New Jersey for its ability to forge community ties; Commerce's research into the cultural atmosphere specific to locations in which it plans to open a new branch; Approaches of Zions First National Bank, Valley National Bank, and Washington Mutual Inc. to community integration.

Reports that BB&T Corp. of Winston-Salem, N.C., is developing a remote capture deposit service for its corporate customers. Potential for them to convert paper checks into digital images at their locations and then make deposits by transmitting the images to the banking company.

Discusses a value theme and strategy for retail banking. Ideas to consider in designing branches when costs must be kept low; Guidelines for the bank with a convenience and service quality proposition; The important differences between these two strategies concerning location and design, as well as, service and sales management; Idea that smaller banks can take market share from larger banks with a personal touch and a simple product.

Comments on the significance of bank branch location to meeting bank customer's needs. Reasons why a branch in the center of town is not necessarily the best solution; Examples of parking problems faced by banks; Importance of adjusting hours and locations to best serve customers.

Focuses on the expansion planned at South Financial Group Inc. in Greenville, South Carolina. Number and location of new branch offices; Whole-bank acquisitions planned to boost revenue; Deal for Pointe Financial Corp. of Boca Raton, Florida; Comments of South Financial president and chief executive, Mack I. Whittle Jr., consultant Kenneth H. Thomas, and analyst Christopher W. Marinac; Comments of Andrew B. Cheney, president of the subsidiary Mercantile Bank, about buying some former SouthTrust Corp. branches; Outlook for SouthTrust and National Commerce Finance Corp. executives to be hired by South Financial.

The Treasury Department is trying to attract more banks to a relatively new program it uses to turn excess federal funds into short-term deposits. It complements the Treasury's traditional vehicle for parking excess cash, the Treasury Tax and Loan program, which involves no bidding and allows the government to withdraw the funds on demand. Deposits made through the Term Investment Option program on average get a rate of about 20 basis points higher than the agency earns from the Tax and Loan program. Under the Tax and Loan program, the Treasury pays all bidders the same rate 25 basis points below the federal funds rate. Treasury officials would not identify the companies participating in the program, except to say they are banks and credit unions of different sizes and locations.

Reports the decision by Bank of New York Co. to expand its core operations to three locations to prevent a repeat of the serious disruptions it sustained after the Sept. 11 attacks. Comments by senior vice president Art Certosimo; Difficulty the bank faced in recovering its operations after the attacks; Other proposals under consideration.