John Reosti

The Georgia company invested in HCSB Financial's recapitalization a year before agreeing to buy the coastal South Carolina bank. Doing so allowed United to stay to close to HCSB and its board, which helped when the time came to discuss a deal.

Merger-related expenses cut into the Pittsburgh company's earnings, though management is excited about growth opportunities in North Carolina.

The Wisconsin regional's profits rose 35% in the first quarter on healthy loan growth, wider margins and an improved efficiency ratio, and it said its "satisfactory" CRA rating had been restored.

Mariner Kemper, UMB's chief executive, said he struggled with the decision to sell Scout Investments to Raymond James. Selling made more sense than pumping more capital into the beleaguered business.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has given preliminary conditional approval for Winter Park National Bank, allowing organizers to work on office space, hire staff and raise capital.

Huntington, Wintrust and Eagle reported extremely low quarterly chargeoff ratios, and their CEOs say they remain confident about the future. But, as one observer says, "ultimately some sector is going to get overextended."

The Ohio company said it is retaining more FirstMerit deposit accounts than it had projected. At the same time, Huntington is moving forward with cost-cutting tied to the acquisition.

A 9% increase in net interest income more than offset rising expenses at the Kansas City, Mo., company.

The trade association's lawsuit challenging new field-of-membership rules may have the opposite effect, as more credit unions consider expansion before the litigation is resolved.

Carter, who built what became Carter Bank and Trust from the ground up, was praised for his “uncanny” credit acumen, devotion to community and family, and willingness to take unconventional risks.