The $99 million-asset thrift said in a recent press release that Best Hometown Bancorp, a holding company it created, raised $8.3 million as part of an initial public offering tied to its mutual-to-stock conversion. Home Federal also plans to change its name to Best Hometown Bank.

The $685 million-asset Pinnacle Financial in Elberton, Ga., said in a press release Friday that it will pay $32.8 million in cash for the $184 million-asset Independence Bank of Georgia in Braselton.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp is buying a bank with a national mortgage platform. The company hopes the business will provide a much-needed lift in fee income.

Liberty Shares in Hinesville, Ga., one of a handful of banks still stuck in the Troubled Asset Relief Program, has raised $26 million in capital.

MVB Financial in Fairmont, W.Va., has sold most of its insurance business to USI Insurance Services in Valhalla, N.Y.

Flagstar Bancorp in Troy, Mich., is paying $371 million to put behind it the vestiges of its dealings with the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

First Bank in Hamilton, N.J., has raised $13.7 million by selling common stock.

After years of bulking up on shared national credits, a number of regional banks are cutting back because of the heartburn from problem oil and gas loans. A few lenders are refusing to budge, but many will have no choice if they want to dilute the energy risk on their books.

The Canadian company took its time before making a bank acquisition in the U.S. The wait allowed management to address internal performance, assess the market and find the right bank to buy.

Laurentian Bank of Canada agreed to buy CIT Group Inc.'s Canadian equipment and corporate financing activities, adding a C$1 billion ($770 million) portfolio to the Montreal-based lender.

BancorpSouth Bank agreed Wednesday to a $10.6 million settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Justice Department for allegedly discriminatory mortgage lending practices that harmed minorities.

The Little Rock, Ark., bank got the final regulatory approval it needed to buy C&S and C1, but not before agreeing to address some community reinvestment concerns in the Atlanta market and elsewhere.

Iberiabank in Lafayette, La., has added a retired investment banker to its board. The $20 billion-asset company said in a press release Tuesday that Rick Maples, who once was head of investment banking at Stifel Financial, had become a director.

The Canadian company is determined to rely on low-cost deposits, lending prowess and cross-selling to justify the price it will pay for PrivateBancorp. Each of those strategies could backfire, highlighting why most acquirers emphasize cost-cutting when pitching a deal.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in Toronto has agreed to buy PrivateBancorp in Chicago for $3.8 billion, finally giving the Canadian bank a meaningful retail presence in the United States.

First Midwest Bancorp in Itasca, Ill., has agreed to buy Standard Bancshares in Hickory Hills, Ill.

Amegy Bank of Texas in Houston has promoted Laif Afseth from executive director of commercial and industrial lending to president of the company.

Dollar Bank in Pittsburgh has agreed to buy Bank @lantec in Virginia Beach.

A trio of banks will buy more than $1.4 billion in franchise loans from GE Capital.

Bay Bancorp in Columbia, Md., has named one of its largest investors, Steven Hovde, to its board.