Georgia

Numerous banks are expected to say they trimmed expenses yet again when they report fourth-quarter results in the coming weeks. But that trend may ebb soon as many executives are forced to spend on technology and to expand their businesses.

Credit unions are making community banks sweat in the small business lending arena.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Tuesday named Michael Dean as the director of the agency's Atlanta region. He had been serving as acting director of the region since April.

SunTrust Banks will provision $145 million in its fourth-quarter results for legal expenses related to previously disclosed mortgage issues, the company said in a regulatory filing Monday.

Ocwen Financial has agreed to pay $150 million to New York regulators to settle allegations that it fudged foreclosure documents and said Monday that its founder and, executive chairman, William Erbey is stepping down after 30 years with the Atlanta company.

Georgia once was known as the state hit with the most bank failures. Renasant's agreement to buy Heritage Financial in Albany, Ga., is the latest of several deals where buyers have paid strong premiums to enter or expand in the state.

Renasant Corp. in Tupelo, Miss., has agreed to buy Heritage Financial Group in Albany, Ga., for roughly $258 million.

Iberiabank Corp. in Lafayette, La., will enter the Atlanta market, agreeing to buy Georgia Commerce Bancshares.

J. Thomas Wiley will become chief executive of the company's banking unit. The move could free up Joe Evans, the company's CEO, to focus on deploying capital, which could include more acquisitions.

Fidelity Southern in Atlanta has agreed to buy deposits and loans from Florida Capital Bank.

JESUP, Ga. — The $56 million Altamaha Federal Credit Union has selected core processor provider Sharetec System to provide its new core system.

A former Georgia community banker who faked his own death two years ago was sentenced on Tuesday to serve 30 years in prison for committing fraud that led to a bank's failure.

State Bank Financial in Atlanta more than doubled quarterly earnings on gains from acquisitions and noninterest income.

United Community Banks in Blairsville, Ga., reported higher quarterly profit that benefited from loan growth and a stable net interest margin.

Synovus Financial in Columbus, Ga., reported a higher third-quarter profit as its total loans and net interest income increased.

ServisFirst Bancshares in Birmingham, Ala., has agreed to buy Metro Bancshares in Atlanta.

Third-quarter earnings at Fidelity Southern in Atlanta increased after it completed a recent acquisition in Florida.

SunTrust Banks in Atlanta reported higher third-quarter earnings on improved fee income from its investment banking unit, mortgages and card fees.

Heritage Financial Group in Albany, Ga., has agreed to buy a branch in a northeast Atlanta suburb from PrivateBancorp.

United Community Banks in Blairsville, Ga., has announced a series of executive changes following the retirement of its chief risk officer.