Location Root Tag

State Bank Financial (STBZ) in Atlanta has agreed to buy Georgia-Carolina Bancshares (GECR) in Augusta, Ga. The $2.6 billion-asset State Bank will pay about $82 million, or $22.35 a share, in cash and stock.

Umpqua Holdings (UMPQ) in Portland, Ore., will close 27 branches by the end of this year as part of its integration of Sterling Financial in Spokane, Wash.

NASHVILLE — The merger between Kentucky Corporate FCU and Volunteer Corporate CU moved a step closer to completion with NCUA approving the deal earlier this month in a closed meeting.

First Community Bank in Lexington, S.C., has agreed to acquire First South Bank's deposits in Columbia and some loans for approximately $800,000.

Great Southern in Missouri completed its fifth failed-bank deal on Friday. The company stated that the deal's strategic benefits outweigh the fact that it received a smaller upfront gain from its latest purchase.

Community banks in the Old Line State have benefitted from a strong economy, but higher regulatory costs, rate pressure and competition could force many to consider selling in coming months.

Open Bank (OPBK) in Los Angeles has raised $30 million in a private offering of common stock.

U.S. Bancorp (USB) in Minneapolis has completed its purchase of Citizens Financial Group's Charter One franchise in Chicago.

First National Bank of the Gulf Coast in Naples, Fla., will change its name when it becomes a state-chartered bank.

OKLAHOMA CITY — A Tinker FCU member was rescued from kidnappers Saturday by an off-duty police officer who was working security at the credit union.

Regulators seized the two subsidiaries of Iowa-based River Valley Bancorp. on Friday, one in Illinois and the other in Florida.

Highlights from the New York Fed's small-business Credit Innovation forum.

The $5.2 billion-asset company, once known as Bond Street Holdings, filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering.

The Oregon company is hopeful it will enjoy significant stock appreciation once investors realize the value of its acquisition of Home Federal in Idaho. Management hopes other potential sellers agree.

NewDominion Bank in Charlotte, N.C., has opened a mortgage division as part of its comeback effort.

Peyton Patterson, president and chief executive of Bankwell Financial Group (BWFG) in New Canaan, Conn., has been ordered by a judge to pay more than $350,000 to American Express to address unpaid credit card bills.

Once the Puerto Rican company repays its Tarp funds, management will focus on growing in New York and south Florida. The company also hopes to benefit from any improvement in the Puerto Rican economy.

The company is suing Basswood Capital, claiming the activist hedge fund unlawfully accumulated a large stake by violating a confidentiality agreement. It also claims that Basswood's meddling resulted in a subpar capital raise last month.

Chesapeake Bank & Trust in Chestertown, Md., has begun searching for a new chief executive.

Hovde Group in Chicago has hired two former Sandler O'Neill research analysts to lead its equity research group.