Florida

Peter Setaro, the chief information officer for First National Bank of the Gulf Coast, is stocking branches with free wifi and Kindles for customers to use.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida is reportedly seeking approval to form a bank and buy Valley Bank in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

TAMPA, Fla. — Florida Central Credit Union plans to purchase a branch of First Federal Bank of Florida.

Many people in Florida were sure that M&A would pass over the Sunshine State for years after the financial crisis. But a recent influx of deals suggests that Florida hasn't lost its luster.

HCBF Holding in Fort Pierce, Fla., has agreed to buy Highlands Independent Bancshares in Sebring, Fla.

MIAMI — Many credit unions looking for more ways to boost the bottom line in this low-interest-rate environment are running out of options.

Jacksonville Bancorp (JAXB) in Florida is eliminating 16% of its work force to cut costs.

COVINA, Calif. — Boards needing better skills, CEO comp plans calling for some serious adjustments and solutions to keep the front-line staff at the CU are just some of the hurdles facing human resources executives today.

Valley National Bancorp (VLY) in Wayne, N.J., has agreed to buy 1st United Bancorp (FUBC) in Boca Raton, Fla.

First American Bank in Elk Grove Village, Ill., has agreed to buy Bank of Coral Gables in Florida.

Ocean Bank in Miami has been freed from an enforcement action by state and federal regulators.

Floridian Financial Group in Lake Mary, Fla., is merging its subsidiaries, Orange Bank of Florida in Orlando and Floridian Bank in Daytona Beach, under the Floridian Bank name.

EverBank Financial (EVER) in Jacksonville, Fla., said that first-quarter earnings fell 18% from a year earlier, to $32 million. Earnings per share of 23 cents beat the average estimate of analysts polled by Bloomberg by 2 cents.

Capital City Bank Group (CCBG) in Tallahassee, Fla., enjoyed a trifecta last quarter: it lowered expenses, income taxes and its loan-loss provision.

Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida (SBCF) in Stuart has agreed to buy The Bankshares in Winter Park, Fla.

BankUnited (BKU) in Miami Lakes, Fla., reported higher quarterly earnings after selling some commercial loans.

Popular (BPOP) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has found buyers for its regional operations in Illinois, California and central Florida.

Heritage Financial (HBOS) in Albany, Ga., has agreed to buy Alarion Financial Services in Ocala, Fla.

Capital Bank Financial (CBF) in Coral Gables, Fla., nearly doubled earnings in the first quarter thanks to asset quality improvements.

Home BancShares in Conway, Ark., has agreed to buy Florida Traditions Bank in Dade City, Fla. The $6.8 billion-asset Home said it will pay $43 million stock for the $312 million-asset Florida Traditions.