Chris Cumming

Synovus Financial (SNV) in Columbus, Ga., has formed an equipment-finance division. The group will be based in Charleston, S.C., the $26 billion-asset Synovus said Thursday.

Regions Financial (RF) has put its economic-development push in the hands of Jeff Rabren, a former Alabama legislative aide.

Norwood Financial (NWFL) in Honesdale, Pa., has added to the management team of its bank.

Risk managers are hopeful that the demand for new loans will rise, but a new study shows that they are increasingly worried that existing loans may go sour.

Banks had to devote more money to compliance in the third quarter after regulators increased the rate of new enforcement actions.

Banks tightened their small-business lending in September after three months in which they approved more loans, a slowdown that could reflect banks' anxiety over the government shutdown.

TGR Financial in Naples, Fla., has agreed to buy Shamrock Bank of Florida.

Plaza Bank in Irvine, Calif., has hired Michael Vantrease as an executive vice president and its chief administrative officer.

Jacksonville Bancorp (JAXB) in Florida is planning a reverse stock split that would allow its shares to keep trading on the Nasdaq exchange.

Pulaski Financial (PULB) in St. Louis is losing the president of its mortgage division.

The Dodd-Frank Act and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau might end up denying crucial funds to nations emerging from war, a new study says.

The Federal Reserve Board has freed Bank Hapoalim from an order that had required the Israeli bank to tighten its anti-money laundering oversight.

Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) in Columbus, Ohio, has appointed a new leader of its market in southern Ohio and Kentucky.

Huntington Bancorp (HBAN) in Columbus, Ohio, has appointed a new leader of its market in southern Ohio and Kentucky.

Low interest rates and fierce competition for loans will drive down third-quarter earnings at most large banks, analysts say.

First National Community Bancorp. (FNCB) in Dunmore, Pa., has promoted three executives.

Capital One Financial in McLean, Va., has renamed and expanded its asset-backed lending unit.

The financial services data company Markit has launched a messaging network, and eight large banks are among its first clients.

The Treasury Department plans to auction stakes in eight more banks as it continues winding down the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Jacksonville Bancorp in Florida has closed the sale of $5 million worth of common stock.