Washington, July 24 (Saba) - Seven banks were seized in seven US states, marking the second year in a row in which at least 100 lenders have collapsed, CNN reported Saturday. Banks with total deposits of about $2 billion were shut down yesterday, according to statements on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. website. The failures cost the FDIC s deposit- insurance fund $431 million. The US bank-failure count this year rose to 103, according to Qatar News Agency (QNA).

Iberiabank Corp., based in Lafayette, Louisiana, acquired Lantana, Florida-based Sterling Bank in its fifth FDIC-assisted transaction. Iberiabank picks up six branches and about $372 million in deposits.

"This acquisition is an excellent fit for our company, providing a nice complement to our current franchise in Broward and Palm Beach counties," Iberiabank Chief Executive Officer Daryl G. Byrd said in a statement. "We anticipate a smooth transition."

Regulators may close the most banks this year since 1992 as souring residential and commercial mortgages impair capital levels. The FDIC included 775 banks with $431 billion in assets on the confidential list of problem lenders as of March 31, an increase from 702 banks with $402.8 billion at the end of the fourth quarter. FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair has said 2010 failures will surpass last year s total of 140.

Banks were also closed in Georgia, South Carolina, Kansas, Minnesota, Nevada and Oregon, the FDIC said.

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