Connecticut

The Bridgeport, Conn., company is developing a specialty in banking technology businesses. Like so many other small regionals with ambitious growth plans, it faces a tricky balancing act: how to take creative risks without getting in over its head.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board is considering a plan to have banks break out charge-offs and recoveries on a year-by-year basis. Bankers fear new systems would be needed to comply.

Larger community banks are favoring bigger targets — or relying more on organic growth — to expand.

Vend Lease, which is based in Baltimore, focuses on suppliers and vendors in the hospitality industry.

The Connecticut company will have nearly $48 billion in assets after it buys First Connecticut Bancorp.