Jim Dobbs

Orlando-based Cogent Bancorp's Brandon Ghee, a former NFL player, has launched a business line focused on providing banking services to professional athletes and the growing number of college standouts earning six- and seven-figure incomes.

Citing missed deadlines for an annual meeting and key regulatory filing, the Norcross-Braca group has called off a plan to invest $35 million in the Philadelphia bank.

The USDA forecasted farm profits will plunge 26% this year, potentially creating credit quality challenges for lenders.

The world's largest credit union said that Dietrich Kuhlmann, a retired rear admiral and currently the institution's chief operating officer, would succeed retiring CEO Mary McDuffie on March 1.

The Pittsburgh company says its new president, Michael Lyons, will report to William Demchak, who will continue as chairman and chief executive. Lyons is positioned to become PNC's next CEO someday, observers said.

Buying North Shore Bancorp in Peabody, Massachusetts, would give Hometown nearly $6 billion of assets and a higher profile in New England.

In all, the Denver-based bank plans to sell nine branches to two buyers as part of a decision to exit the state and invest more in technology and other markets where "it has the greatest growth potential."

Senior loan officers recently told the Federal Reserve that loan demand weakened and underwriting tightened last quarter, but both at a slower pace than three months earlier. They anticipate demand for credit will improve, especially in the back half of the year — provided rates begin to fall.

Federal prosecutors allege that Shan Hanes, the former CEO of the now defunct Heartland Tri-State Bank, illegally took money from customers to fund cryptocurrency investments. He could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

In a bid for scale and diversification, Illinois-based Empeople Credit Union said it would expand in Wisconsin with the planned acquisition of TSB Bank.