Paul Davis

First Bancorp in Southern Pines, N.C., has agreed to buy Bankingpoint, an insurance agency in Sanford, N.C.

Bank officials say they are ready for rising rates; disagree on how much the initial increase would help or hurt lending and the economy; and predict more rate increases next year.

Customers Bancorp in Wyomissing, Pa., has agreed to buy the disbursements business of Higher One Holdings in New Haven, Conn.

Associates of Glen Falls Insurance said that it bought Loomis & LaPann, an insurance unit of Arrow Financial that focuses on amateur sports, for an undisclosed price.

The Bancorp in Wilmington, Del., is looking for a new chief executive. The $4.7 billion-asset company said that Frank Mastrangelo resigned as CEO to become its technologist in residence.

Community bank executives are wary about the year ahead. Cybersecurity threats, the real possibility of even tighter margins after the Federal Reserve acts, and compliance woes are among their concerns.

Peoples Financial Services in Scranton, Pa., has bought a retirement planning operation.

BBCN Bancorp in Los Angeles has agreed to buy Wilshire Bancorp in Los Angeles.

The board of Pascack Bancorp in Waldrick, N.J., spent years debating whether to sell the company or remain independent.

The $3.8 billion-asset First Busey said in a press release Thursday that it will pay $210.7 million, or $17.24 a share, in stock for the $1.5 billion-asset Pulaski.

The $1 billion-asset Charter said in a press release Thursday that it will pay $58.8 million, or $20.50 a share for the $369 million-asset parent of Community Bank of the South.

The $140 million-asset company said in a press release Thursday that Martin May would also become its president.

Live Oak Bancshares in Wilmington, N.C., has exited the Small Business Lending Fund.

Sunshine Bancorp in Plant City, Fla., plans to raise about $12.2 million through a private placement.

WashingtonFirst Bankshares in Reston, Va., plans to raise up to $31.1 million by selling common stock.

Umpqua Holdings in Portland, Ore., has created a unit dedicated to disrupting the banking industry.

NexBank in Dallas has bought College Savings Bank in Princeton, N.J.

First Niagara Financial Group in Buffalo, N.Y., considered offers from four potential acquirers before deciding in late October to sell itself to KeyCorp.

The $9.8 billion-asset Great Western said in a press release Monday that it will pay about $140 million, or $19.70 a share, in cash and stock for the $1.2 billion-asset parent of Home Federal Bank.

Financial Institutions in Warsaw, N.Y., has agreed to buy Courier Capital, an investment advisory firm in Buffalo, N.Y.