Ranks of Tiny Banks Shrinking as Challenges Mount.

The article discusses the U.S. community banking industry as of February 2014 with a focus on community banks' regulatory costs and the increase in small-bank mergers. The discussion topics include factors that are forcing banks to consider selling themselves, the issue of implementing new regulations like the qualified mortgage rule, and the effect of compliance on succession planning. Agricultural credits and lending limits on farm loans are also mentioned.