
Paul Davis
Founder, Bank SlatePaul Davis is the founder of Bank Slate, a financial strategy and research firm. He previously led community bank coverage at American Banker.

Paul Davis is the founder of Bank Slate, a financial strategy and research firm. He previously led community bank coverage at American Banker.
First Bancorp in Southern Pines, N.C., and First Community Bancshares in Bluefield, Va., have agreed to exchange branches in two states.
Great Western and HF Financial spent nearly four months going back and forth over their merger's terms in the midst of a swoon in overall stock prices. Negotiations included at least six changes in the proposed price and five proposals for the termination fee.
HCSB Financial in Loris, S.C., said Jan Hollar would become its chief executive after a $45 million recapitalization led by Castle Creek Capital Partners.
Cordia said in a press release Tuesday that it sold its CordiaGrad platform to its Jack Zoeller, the $348 million-asset company's chief executive.
Summit Financial Group in Moorefield, W.Va., has agreed to buy Highland County Bankshares in Monterey, Va., for $21.8 million in cash. The deal is expected to close early in the third quarter.
A Malvern Bancorp director has resigned following a disagreement over one of the Paoli, Pa., company's clients.
Univest Corp. of Pennsylvania was negotiating to buy Fox Chase Bancorp when its stock plummeted in August. The decline prompted Fox Chase to seek other offers, while forcing Univest to adjust its proposal to prop up the deal value.
County Bank, the holding company for the $324 million-asset Lapeer County Bank & Trust, said in a press release that it will pay $20 million, or $27 a share, in stock for the parent of the $245 million-asset CSB Bank.
The Winston-Salem, N.C., regional banking company said the purchase of Swett & Crawford should boost its annual insurance revenue by $200 million, or 15%. The cash acquisition also represents a reallocation of the rest of BB&T's approved share repurchases under last year's CCAR.
Sandhills State Bank in Bassett, Neb., has agreed to buy Bank of Keystone in Keystone, Neb.
Midland States Bancorp in Effingham, Ill., has agreed to buy about $400 million in wealth management assets from Sterling Bancorp in Yonkers, N.Y.
NASB Financial in Grandview, Mo., has agreed to buy Lexington B&L Financial in Lexington, Mo.
First Busey in Champaign, Ill., has abruptly changed the responsibilities of several executives.
South Dakota Bancshares in Pierre, S.D., has agreed to buy First State Bank in Pierre.
CommunityOne Bancorp entered 2015 with hopes of buying banks and nonbanks. Shortly after whiffing on several deals, the North Carolina company ended up selling itself to Capital Bank Financial.
Lakeland Bancorp in Oak Ridge, N.J., has agreed to buy Harmony Bank in Jackson, N.J.
Kelly King, BB&T's CEO, said his company is keen on eventually buying banks between Alabama and Texas, though his team would need to have frank discussions with any targets before pursuing a deal.
The $325 million-asset State Bank said in a press release Tuesday that it will pay $29.6 million in cash and stock for the $206 million-asset Country Bank.
Citizens Community Bancorp in Eau Claire, Wis., has agreed to buy Old Murry Bancorp in Rice Lake, Wis.
Sterling Bancshares in Poplar Bluff, Mo., has completed its purchase of Bootheel Bancorp in Poplar Bluff.