Gonzo Banker highlights Bank Director's Acquire or Be Acquired conference, held January 25-27, 2015 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Two big banks excel at expense management, and the Motley Fool shares Jack Milligan's perspective on why that is.

Attendees at the Acquire or Be Acquired conference see a bright future for community banking, and more insights from surveys conducted at the annual event.

Successful acquirers discussed M&A strategy at the 2015 Acquire or Be Acquired conference.

Speakers at the 2015 Acquire or Be Acquired conference discuss the impact falling oil prices is having on the Texas bank M&A market.

Banks today seem to have greater understanding of how to obtain regulatory approval, and with that knowledge has come increased optimism about deal-making, says Al Dominick, president of Bank Director.

New benchmark tracks performance of shareholder-friendly community and regional banks nationwide.

"Being the lowest cost producer gives you tremendous power," Bank Director Editor Jack Milligan tells The Motley Fool.

Increased activity in 2014 sets the stage for more bank M&A in 2015.

Citing the 2015 Bank M&A Survey, the Wall Street Journal's Heard on the Street focuses on the lack of sellers in today's marketplace.