Mississippi

Equitable Financial in Grand Island, Neb., said its depositors and stockholders have approved its plan to convert from a mutual thrift to a fully stock-owned company.

Hancock Holding in Gulfport, Miss., reported lower profit as low oil prices stymied loan growth in the energy sector.

Community Trust Bank in Ruston, La., has bought four branches in Houston from Hancock Holding in Gulfport, Miss.

Premier Bancshares in Omaha, Neb., has agreed to buy Farmers Bank and Trust in Nebraska City.

Biloxi, Miss. — Keesler Federal Credit Union here announced it has paid out a loan interest rebate and deposit bonus dividend of about $3.4 million to its members.

Dan Rollins' ability to have a BSA-related consent order removed and get two acquisitions back on track could embolden more big community banks to pursue deals next year.

The Mississippi company is hopeful examiners will recognize progress made on Bank Secrecy Act compliance, including a much bigger staff and enhanced systems. If all goes well, BancorpSouth could have a consent order lifted, paving the way for it to refile applications for two acquisitions it hopes to complete next year.

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

John Hairston, set to become the Mississippi company's sole CEO, said Carl Chaney was not forced out as co-CEO. Still, he said the departure allows Hancock to streamline operations and become more efficient.

John Hairston will stay in the newly combined role, while Carl Chaney plans to retire on Dec. 31. Hancock has been pressed by Wall Street in recent years to get more aggressive cutting costs after buying Whitney Bank.

Ambitious Renasant Corp. in Mississippi is still billions of dollars away from a key regulatory threshold of $10 billion in assets, but it's getting ready now for the demands that come with growing that large. Two of its top executives explain why.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Friday released its list of enforcement actions from September, including a consent order that played a role in derailing two planned acquisitions.

Trustmark Corp. in Jackson Miss., reported a rise in quarterly profit that benefited from a larger loan portfolio.

Peoples Financial reported a quarterly loss after two bad loans put a crater in the Biloxi, Miss., company's bottom line.

The Mississippi company withdrew two merger applications in August after the FDIC targeted its Bank Secrecy Act compliance. Management says it has made significant progress and is looking forward to a follow-up exam early next year.

Pinnacle Bancorp in Central City, Neb., has agreed to buy Home State Bank in Louisville, Neb.

Southern Bancorp in Arkadelphia, Ark., has agreed to buy the Bank of Bolivar County in Shelby, Miss.

BancorpSouth has withdrawn applications for two planned acquisitions after the Tupelo, Miss., company drew regulatory scrutiny for its Bank Secrecy Act compliance.

Hancock Holding in Gulfport, Miss., reported lower quarterly earnings, primarily because of lower returns from its loan portfolio.

First Bancshares (FBMS) in Hattiesburg, Miss., has redeemed preferred stock BCB Holding in Mobile, Ala., issued to the Treasury Department under the Troubled Asset Relief Program.