Paul Davis

Rheo Brouillard, the head of SI Financial, finally had a solid offer in hand after more than two years of searching for a buyer. But the resignation 10 days later of the man who made him that offer — Berkshire Hills’ Michael Daly — sent Brouillard scrambling.

Why now? Will it work? How will their rivals respond? The megadeal between the two East Coast regionals offers up plenty of grist for speculation.

The industry's largest acquisition in more than a decade will create the sixth-biggest bank in the country, with assets of more than $442 billion.

John Asbury says his Virginia bank, soon to be renamed Atlantic Union Bank, could eventually stretch from Charlotte, N.C., to Baltimore and take on the big players that dominate those markets.

The company will gain four branches in Athens, Ga., with the $52 million acquisition.

The company said the move reflects intense competition and a "significant decline" in origination volume.

The Virginia company, which recently bought Access National, will become Atlantic Union Bank later this year.

Reliance Bancshares was in a position to reject five buyout offers over the course of a year before it got one it liked.

Bank First's deal for Partnership is the third Wisconsin bank merger announced this week.

Provident's investment adviser unit will have nearly $3 billion in assets under management after it buys Tirschwell & Loewy.