West Virginia

Michael Fitzgerald, who was selected to lead United Bank, was CEO of Bank of Georgetown for 11 years before it was sold to United.

When potential sellers are skittish, a merger pitch from a peer who’s been through it can make the difference.

An $378 million agreement to buy Farmers Capital will allow the West Virginia company to bridge a gap between Louisville, Ky., and Huntington, W.Va.

Premier Financial agreed to buy First Bank of Charleston for $33 million.

Commercial lending and mortgage income surged in the fourth quarter at the West Virginia bank thanks to two acquisitions, but a tax charge cut into profits.

Alice Frazier had been chief operating officer at Cardinal Financial, which was bought earlier this year by United Bankshares.

Pinnacle Financial Partners closed in on $20 billion in assets by buying BNC. It now has to integrate the North Carolina bank, while finding ways to boost profit and adapt to increased regulatory burden.

Belpre Savings Bank and Doolin Security Savings Bank are planning to create a mutual with nearly $100 million in assets.