Paul Davis

The North Carolina regional bank is placing a big bet that targeting Pennsylvania's high earners will offset the state's reputation for having slower-than-average growth.

The North Carolina company had made it clear it would pursue more acquisitions after closing its purchase of the $19 billion-asset Susquehanna Bancshares earlier this year.

Cordia Bancorp found an experienced leader to run its bank, and executive recruiters believe more companies could do the same as they try to train the next generation. One problem: Most retired CEOs seem content to sit on the sidelines after enduring the financial crisis.

Prosperity Bancshares in Houston has ended a short, self-imposed break from acquisitions, agreeing to buy Tradition Bancshares in Houston.

Old Line Bancshares in Bowie, Md., has agreed to buy Regal Bancorp in Owings Mills, Md.

F.N.B. Corp. in Pittsburgh has agreed to buy Metro Bancorp in Harrisburg, Pa.

Lakeland Bancorp in Oak Ridge, N.J., has agreed to buy Pascack Bancorp in Waldwick, N.J.

First Interstate BancSystem in Billings, Mont., will soon have a new chief executive.

HCBF Holding Co. in Fort Pierce, Fla., has agreed to buy OGS Investments in Gainesville, Fla.

Preferred Bank in Los Angeles has agreed to buy United International Bank in Flushing, N.Y.

The Dallas company recorded a higher provision as nearly $330 million in energy credits were classified as "criticized" during the second quarter. The size of Comerica's energy portfolio also shrank by 8% during the quarter.

SunTrust Banks in Atlanta reported higher quarterly earnings after of a tax benefit and a decline in expenses more than offset a decline in revenue.

Kelly King, who is close to closing BB&T s biggest acquisition to date, told analysts that he could look to add up to $20 billion in assets next year through acquisitions. Management also used a conference call to emphasize the ongoing importance of organic growth.

BB&T in Winston-Salem, N.C., met Wall Street's earnings expectations after reporting revenue rose slightly. The company's second-quarter net income available to shareholders rose 7% from a year earlier, to $454 million. Revenue increased 1.3%, to $2.3 billion.

Kevin Kabat told the board of Fifth Third Bancorp that he intends to step down as CEO in November. Kabat, who had led the Cincinnati company since 2007, will remain executive vice chairman through next April.

The $1.2 billion-asset National Commerce said in a press release Tuesday that it will pay about $37 million in cash and stock for the $300 million-asset Reunion Bank.

The Fed determined that the purchase of Susquehanna Bancshares, which would push BB&T's assets above $200 billion, will not pose a threat to the U.S. financial system. The approval could give more regional banks confidence to pursue bigger acquisitions.

A credit review, along with concerns about certain change-in-control agreements, led Southwest Bancorp last summer to terminate a letter of intent to buy First Commercial Bancshares. The banks revisited the deal months later — at a lower premium — after First Commercial addressed the issues.

Premier Financial Bancorp in Huntington, W. Va., has agreed to buy First National Bankshares in Ronceverte, W. Va.

Yadkin Financial in Elkin, N.C., will pay its former leader $2.2 million over the next year as part of an ongoing management transition.