NEW YORK (AP) _ Regulators have now shut down 40 U.S. banks so far this year.

The latest to fall were three banks taken over Friday by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., one each in North Carolina, Georgia and Kansas.

The FDIC was appointed receiver of Cooperative Bank of Wilmington, N.C., Southern Community Bank of Fayetteville, Ga., and First National Bank of Anthony, in Anthony, Kan. It's arranged to have most of their assets, including all their branches, taken over by other banks.

The FDIC has struck loss-sharing agreements with the three acquiring banks to maximize returns on the assets and minimize disruptions for loan customers.

The wave of bank failures is expected to continue throughout the year as borrowers default on loans because of the still weak housing market and rising unemployment.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)