Georgia

The process for the credit union to acquire State Bank of Georgia began late last year.

Colony Bankcorp has recruited two executives in addition to buying a branch and a vacant lot from Planters First Bank.

Florida created headaches for the Georgia company during the financial crisis. Increased discipline, and wholesale changes to banking, make the $3 billion purchase of FCB Financial less risky, CEO Kessel Stelling says.

The Mississippi company will also gain its first branches in southern Georgia as part of the $80 million deal.

A merger with Towns-Union Educators' FCU is Peach State's fifth such move in three years.

The $2.9 billion deal is the Georgia company's first traditional whole-bank acquisition since 2006. It is also the year's second-biggest bank acquisition.

The company will no longer originate indirect auto loans outside of Florida and Georgia.

When current CEO Jerry Ragan retires next month, Brian Albrecht will take over at the helm, having started with the credit union 10 years ago as a member service representative.

Savings increased by 4.1 percent during the first quarter of 2018, while loans grew by 1.8 percent, with auto loans rising by more than 3.5 percent.

FNS Bancshares has agreed to buy Catoosa Bancshares in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., in all-cash deal.