Paul Davis

Word that Hancock Holding in Mississippi would more than double its loan-loss allowance has triggered broader questions about how the oil slump could spread beyond the energy portfolios of a whole class of banks.

Western Alliance Bancorp. in Phoenix has agreed to buy GE Capital's hotel franchise finance loan portfolio.

Royal Financial in Chicago has agreed to sell $25.8 million of distressed assets associated with its pending purchase of Park Bancorp in Chicago.

Fentura Financial in Fenton, Mich., has agreed to buy Community Bancorp in St. Charles, Mich.

TriCo Bancshares in Chico, Calif., paid a lower deposit premium for its purchase of Bank of America branches after deposit levels at those offices fell.

Northwest Bancshares in Warren, Pa., has agreed to buy Best Insurance Agency, an employee benefits and property and casualty insurance firm in Butler, Pa.

Central Bancshares in Muscatine, Iowa, has agreed to buy Brimfield Bank in Brimfield, Ill.

South State in Columbia, S.C., has promoted one of its executives to become chief executive of its bank.

Guaranty Bancorp in Denver has agreed to buy Home State Bancorp in Loveland, Colo., for $133.7 million in cash and stock. The deal is expected to close in the summer.

American Banker Research's Index of Banking Activity, which had the lowest reading in its nearly four-year history in January, revealed that issues in oil-producing states are contributing to decreases in commercial loan applications and approvals.