North Carolina

Carolina Premier Bank in Charlotte, N.C., has hired Don Jackson from Community One Bank in Asheboro, N.C., as director of Small Business Administration lending, a new position at the bank.

F.N.B. Corp. in Pittsburgh has selected more executives from Yadkin Financial in Raleigh, N.C., to take on leadership roles for its new markets in the Carolinas.

The $222 billion-asset company has not yet publicly stated the number of branches or markets to be affected, but it "would be closing and consolidating some branches in early December," BB&T spokesman David White on Monday.

Years of branch closures and job cuts are paying off for banks in the form of much-improved efficiency ratios. But with low interest rates still crimping profits, banks remain under pressure to continue reducing expenses.

Groups in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and elsewhere are stepping up efforts to create programs and conferences dedicated to younger bankers, including millennials.

Live Oak Bancshares in Wilmington, N.C., has formed a renewable energy lending division.

The $29 billion-asset company said in a regulatory filing Thursday that the "needs to improve" rating will likely restrict its ability to make acquisitions and open branches.

CommunityOne Bancorp in Charlotte, N.C., has scheduled its annual meeting as it waits for regulators to sign off on its sale to Capital Bank Financial in Coral Gables, Fla.

Plenty of banks have ended their federal loss-share deals early, but despite the incentives to wind them down, plenty more still have these crisis-era arrangements in place. It may be due to varying deadlines, mistakes calculating loan values or worries that they still might need the coverage for home equity lines.

Park Sterling in Charlotte, N.C., has negotiated an early termination of loss-share agreements with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. for about $15.5 million in assets.

Make it three in a row for Live Oak Bank. Initiatives like "Live Oak U" help explain why this bank has topped our list of the best places to work for three years running.

Popular with employees: Employees dress up for the Halloween costume contest, and children of employees and customers trick-or-treat at the bank during business hours.

F.N.B. in Pittsburgh plans to retain some Yadkin Financial executives and assign them to key roles after it closes its purchase of the North Carolina bank.

Southern First Bank in Greenville, S.C., and Five Star Bank in Warsaw, N.Y., are entering new markets.

A BB&T unit that finances power equipment has a new president.

First Citizens BancShares in Raleigh, N.C., reported higher quarterly profit that reflected a couple of one-time gains.

First South Bancorp in Washington, N.C., has acquired a portfolio of mortgage servicing rights.

BNC Bancorp in High Point, N.C., plans to raise about $55 million through a common stock offering.

North Carolina's second-biggest community bank agreed to sell itself at a rich premium, signaling that the state has become an attractive market for acquirers. Adding an out-of-state bank could also create opportunities for *locals* to poach business.

F.N.B. Corp. in Pittsburgh is making a big play to enter North Carolina.