Growth strategies

Ameris, which was operating under a regulatory order when it agreed to buy Atlantic Coast, agreed to pay more money if it failed to complete the acquisition by mid-2018.

The company is gaining heft in Michigan's Upper Peninsula with its $34 million purchase of First Federal of Northern Michigan.

The company agreed to buy First Priority Financial for $82 million in stock.

The Tennessee company has been buying banks in smaller markets and college towns where it rarely has to compete with financial giants.

From opening new facilities to important donations and celebrity guests, here's another look at how credit unions are giving back to the communities they serve.

The Iowa company was sidelined by a Fed order for 2,155 days. Finally free, Ambank is open to making an acquisition and offering its mortgage origination services to other institutions.

Leonard Stekol, Ridgewood's president, succeeded Peter Boger, who ran the bank for 18 years.

The South Carolina-based credit union has paid more than $30 million back to members in the last 20 years.

An economist for the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues says trends are positive, but there are concerns that things could change in 2018.

Bank of America has opened a flagship branch downtown and plans several so-called robo branches across the city. It has used a similar strategy to enter new markets in the past year.