The finance stories you read most this year featured more bad news than we would like to see at this point in the business cycle. There were reminders of the Great Recession shenanigans that resulted in a number of criminal prosecutions and news of Tennessee's first bank failure in almost a decade.

But there was plenty of good news, too. Asurion features on this list twice and one of the country's big banks showed it plans to boost its local presences. All in all, things to build on in the coming year and beyond. For other installments of Top Reads in 2012, click here.

 
1. Fraud charges brought against... You guessed it, Brentwood men
Feds move forward on two separate cases of financial fraud

2. Feds shut down Tennessee Commerce
Kentucky bank buying deposits, some assets of embattled Franklin-based lender

3. CPAs named in nonprofit embezzlement suit
History association's complaint says West End firm didn't catch financial director's actions

4. Asurion bringing 500 jobs to downtown
Company plans to move a varierty of technology functions to 92,000 square feet of space at the Ragland Building

5. Big bank moving state HQ to AT&T Building
R2D2 losing name on its cap

6. Hillenmeyer venture, Just A Pinch parent land VC cash
Former MBA, Chicago Bear linebacker rolling out company linking athletes, fans, video games

7. Asurion pays $1B dividend
Device insurer's rate well over LIBOR

8. SunTrust sues to collect from local counsel
Lender seeks favorable judgment involving at least $2.8M

9. iPayment execs fired over ethics issues
Longtime COO, controller among those out

10. Fuel card marketer sold for $369M
Maine-based company snaps up local firm that has grown network 50% in four years