Corporate governance

United Bankshares in West Virginia was willing to pay a healthy premium for Carolina Financial, one of a dwindling number of available banks with more than $4 billion in assets.

The Bakersfield, Calif.-based institution has applied to convert to a state charter.

The company will pay $1.1 billion for Carolina Financial in Charleston, S.C., in a deal that will add nearly $5 billion in assets.

More banks in the state are considering acquisitions to cut costs and combat margin pressure.

The Wisconsin-based institution has returned more than $11.7 million to members over the past six years.

It’s the company’s responsibility to come forward with the information about how an algorithm that could be discriminating against women borrowers was designed and the exact impact of it, she said.

The Louisiana company's willingness to combine with First Horizon without a big initial payday is fueling talk that other banks could be keen on selling at relatively inexpensive prices.

Dealmaking through early November is slightly ahead of last year's clip thanks to a recent flurry of merger announcements. However, excluding BB&T-SunTrust, values and multiples are shrinking.

Politicians' grand plans to reform the college funding process won't come to fruition anytime soon, so credit unions shouldn't ignore the opportunties presented by student lending.

While layoffs at big banks get the headlines, small and midsize lenders are also trimming payrolls in response to lower rates and fears that a recession is getting closer.