Florida

CenterState Banks in Davenport, Fla., has agreed to buy a branch from the parent of SouthBank in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

LAKE MARY, Fla. — Two education-focused credit unions in central Florida merged Thursday.

Bank of America is asking the Justices to overturn lower-court rulings that mortgage loans with a secondary lien on a debtor's asset can be "stripped down" to zero when the collateral is completely underwater. The decision could affect an even wider range of second liens.

Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida in Stuart has agreed to buy Grand Bankshares in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Atlantic Capital Bancshares in Atlanta has agreed to buy First Security Group in Chattanooga, Tenn.

SUNRISE, Fla. — BrightStar Credit Union has named Michael Tomko as its president and CEO, replacing board member Dr. Colin Battle, who was serving as the interim CEO, and now returns to the board.

SEATAC, Wash. and TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A new state credit union league partnership could provide better HR solutions for CUs everywhere, and it's all because one league staffer wanted to relocate.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The board of directors of PSCU, the credit union service organization, announced that it has named Chuck Fagan as its president and CEO, effective April 27.

In the last five years, a growing number of CUs have dropped the words "credit union" (or "federal credit union") from their names or do business in a manner that downplays their credit union status.

EverBank Financial in Jacksonville, Fla., has announced the share price of a secondary public offering by two institutional stockholders.

Hencorp Becstone Capital in Miami has agreed to pay $3.8 million to settle allegations that it provided inaccurate statements and claims to the Export-Import Bank.

HomeBancorp in Tampa, Fla., has raised $16.5 million in capital.

CertusHoldings in Greenville, S.C., has agreed to sell its small business finance unit to BankUnited in Miami Lakes, Fla.

The trade group's leader touted progress in areas such as qualified mortgages and flood insurance, but he also encouraged members to keep speaking out against overzealous supervision.

The Texas banker, who chaired the ICBA during the financial crisis, feels much better about the regulatory environment for smaller banks. She just wishes that interest rates would finally rise.

The lobbying group's agenda typically includes a general session featuring top regulators. But with the ICBA's Washington Policy Summit two months away, the group opted to steer the focus of its annual convention toward education.

A stable of in-house development talent helps Florida's C1 Financial create cutting-edge apps.

The chief financial officer of WSFS Financial in Wilmington, Del., is leaving the bank holding company for Seacoast Banking in Stuart, Fla.

Suncoast Credit Union has entered into a long-term partnership with Florida Southwestern State College that will fund a new arena and student scholarships.

First Green Bancorp in Mount Dora, Fla., has raised nearly $14 million through a private placement.