Florida

Though BankAtlantic in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was well capitalized at yearend, the thrift may soon be required to boost its capital.

When Wall Street investors opened their wallets wide to BankUnited Inc., they were sending a message to other capital-hungry community banks. It just was not the message that those banks were hoping for.

Monroe Securities Inc. in Chicago and Carson Medlin Co. in Tampa, Fla., are merging. The companies said Wednesday that they have agreed to combine their operations effective immediately, with Carson Medlin operating as a division of Monroe.

PNC appears to be willing to pay up to expand on Florida's west coast, entering into a deal to buy 19 branches and $350 million of deposits from BankAtlantic at a 10% premium.

The Florida company, which was bought in May 2009 by private investors, raised $783 million in its initial public offering, more than 18% than what it initially expected.

The latest nixed deal, between Florida Bank Group Inc. in Tampa and Anderen Financial Inc. in Palm Harbor, brought the issue to the fore when the companies said last week that regulators are hesitant to approve "expansionary" deals.

BankUnited Inc. unveiled estimated terms for an increased initial public offering, with current holders behind the bulk of the equity sale.

North American Financial Holdings Inc. is one step closer to having its flagship bank. The bank holding company, which is backed by $900 million of equity from various investors, received approval Friday from the Federal Reserve to buy an 85% ownership stake in Capital Bank Corp. of Raleigh, N.C.

A pair of banking companies have extended their deadlines for rights offerings due to technical difficulties.

As the epicenter of bank failures in 2010, Florida gave 2011 its first casualty. Florida was home to 18% of the 157 failures last year, with 29. Following a two-week hiatus, two banks failed on the first Friday of the new year.

City County Credit Union in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., plans to double its coverage in the state by expanding into nine nearby counties.

BankFirst of Winter Park, Fla., has agreed to acquire Commercial Bancorp Inc. of nearby Ormond Beach.

Florida Shores Bank in Venice said Monday that it had raised $8 million of capital after spending six months courting investors.

It was another busy — and costly — night for regulators in the Southeast. Of the nation's six failures Friday — bringing the year's total to 157 — three were in Georgia and one was in Florida, continuing the onslaught the two states have suffered in the crisis.

Bloodied but unbowed, the Florida banking market is poised for a rebound, but only a handful of in-state banks have the capital to take advantage of one.

First Bank of the Palm Beaches has managed to maintain a middle-of-the-road status in the treacherous world of Florida banking.

First Southern Bank in Boca Raton, Fla. is realigning its organization to make it easier to expand.

An affiliate of Hovde Private Equity Advisors LLC has completed an $11 million capital infusion into FirstAtlantic Financial Holdings Inc. in Jacksonville, Fla.

A jury ruled Thursday that BankAtlantic Bancorp Inc. misled its investors about its credit quality and must compensate them for certain losses.

After securing more capital, Jacksonville Bancorp Inc. has announced its purchase of Atlantic BancGroup Inc.