There's been a lot of talk about how private equity firms were gearing up for a big push into financial services--recall the IndyMac deal and the BankUnited deal. One theme in all this was how regulators seemed to be accommodating to this new source of liquidity; private equity firms have traditionally stayed away from banking. 

So, what's to make of the move by the FDIC to shut down Atlanta-based wholesale bank Silverton Bank? The FDIC, according to the New York Times, made the move despite having what appeared to be credible interest by Carlyle and its club, Lightyear Capital, Harvest Partners and Colony Capital. Carlyle of course led the PE move to buy BankUnited, teaming with Blackstone Group, Centerbridge Capital Partners and WL Ross. There is likely a lot more to this story than meets the eye. I'm not sure we can conclude that the whole movement is over. 

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