Georgia

With the industry continuing to consolidate, credit unions must address mergers in their strategic planning sessions so they are ready to be on either side of the deal when the opportunity arises.

Will the new commitment, which is 5% over what the banks have reinvested recently on their own, assuage advocacy groups' concerns about the merger?

The Georgia regional plans to open more branches in the state as it looks to loan growth and fees as a way to offset intense competition for deposits.

The Tucker, Ga.-based institution said the new name reflected its ties to electric cooperatives while affirming its commitment to member service.

Dennis Zember Jr. stepped down as the Georgia bank's CEO, citing personal matters. Palmer Proctor, an executive at the recently acquired Fidelity Southern, succeeded Zember.

Members of the Georgia Credit Union Affiliates have voted to join the League of Southeastern CUs, the second such merger this year. Analysts say there could be more to come – and soon.

Shareholders of both companies will meet separately next month to cast ballots on the $28 billion deal, and BB&T investors will also decide whether the new company should be called Truist Financial.

Lynn Harton, the Georgia bank's CEO and a 20-year BB&T veteran, is considering acquisitions in Alabama, Florida and Tennessee markets where the entity soon to be named Truist Financial has a high profile.

The community-chartered credit union will now serve nine new counties following two years of reporting 2% or less in membership growth.

The moves are part of a plan CEO Rajinder Singh discussed in a conversation with American Banker.