F.N.B. Corp. had the greatest decline in short interest relative to shares outstanding among SNL-covered banks and thrifts between Feb. 28 and March 15.

The percentage of the company's shares held short relative to shares outstanding declined 798 basis points to 7.63% as of March 15. It closed its acquisition of Yadkin Financial Corp. on March 11.

Sterling Bancorp had the greatest jump in short interest relative to shares outstanding among SNL-covered banks and thrifts between Feb. 28 and March 15. The percentage of the company's shares held short relative to shares outstanding increased 268 basis points to 5.90% as of March 15. Sterling announced March 7 that it agreed to acquire Astoria Financial Corp. in an all-stock deal valued at more than $2 billion.

Banc of California Inc. topped the list of most shorted banks and thrifts in the first half of March. The company saw short interest rise 255 basis points to 32.41% of shares outstanding.