
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.
Community Bank Shares of Indiana (CBIN) in New Albany has agreed to buy First Financial Service (FFKY) in Elizabethtown, Ky.
Peoples Bancorp (PEBO) in Marietta, Ohio, has agreed to buy North Akron Savings Bank in Ohio. Peoples said in a press release Monday that it will pay about $20.1 million in cash and stock for the $147 million-asset North Akron Savings.
First Defiance Financial (FDEF) in Defiance, Ohio, isn't going to buy First Community Bank in Columbus, Ohio, after all.
SunTrust Banks (STI) in Atlanta said its quarterly profit rose 16% as it made more commercial loans.
First Security in Owensboro, Ky., has raised $30 million through a private placement. The $500 million-asset company said it would use the funds for organic growth and "acquisitive opportunities."
Home BancShares in Conway, Ark., has agreed to buy Florida Traditions Bank in Dade City, Fla. The $6.8 billion-asset Home said it will pay $43 million stock for the $312 million-asset Florida Traditions.
Midsize banks remain concerned about their ability to meaningfully grow revenue at a time when yields on loans are narrowing and income from mortgage banking a key revenue driver continues to shrink.
BB&T (BBT) in Winston-Salem, N.C., narrowly missed Wall Street's first-quarter expectations because of sluggish loan growth.
Unity Bancorp (UNTY) in Clinton, N.J., plans to raise up to $6 million through a rights offering.
Poage Bankshares (PBSK) in Ashland, Ky., and an activist investor have sent competing letters to shareholders ahead of next month's annual meeting.
Live Oak Bancshares is planning an initial public offering that could yield as much as $86 million for the Wilmington, N.C., company and its shareholders.
CB Financial Services (CBFV) in Carmichaels, Pa., has agreed to buy FedFirst Financial (FFCO) in Monessen, Pa.
Joseph Stilwell used a photo of the then-chairman of Harvard Illinois snoozing at last year's annual meeting as part of his fight for representation on the board. Harvard's board accused Stilwell of waging his battle "in the gutter."
Kenneth Lehman is getting ready to increase his stake in Liberty Bell Bank (LBBB) in Marlton, N.J.
BofI Holding (BOFI) in San Diego has agreed to buy certain assets and all the deposits of H&R Block Bank.
A former executive at Solara National Bancorp (SLRK) could start working with an activist investor to alter the size and composition of the Lakewood Village, Colo., company's board.
First Commonwealth Financial (FCF) in Indiana, Pa., has a new chief financial officer.
Cordia Bancorp (BVA) in Midlothian, Va., has raised $15.4 million.
The Greenville, S.C., company hired John Poelker as interim CEO and ousted its top executives less than two weeks after allegations of financial mismanagement surfaced. Poelker, known for stabilizing struggling banks, could be tasked with cleaning Certus up for a buyer.
Insight, based in Ohio, wanted to raise capital to expand its operations. Instead, it ended up talking to suitors and agreeing to sell to First Financial in Cincinnati.