Wisconsin

Associated Banc-Corp in Green Bay, Wis., reported first-quarter net income of $40 million Thursday, an 11% drop from the same period in 2015. In doing so the $28 billion-asset company joined the lengthening list of banks whose bottom lines fell victim to ongoing tumult in the energy market.

Peoples Bancorp in Prairie Du Chien, Wis., has agreed to buy four branches in Wisconsin from FirstMerit.

First Business Financial Services in Madison, Wis., has appointed David Seiler as chief operating officer. The $1.8 billion-asset holding company said Seiler will start in the newly created role on April 18.

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions closed the $67.1 million-asset North Milwaukee State Bank on Friday.

Associated Banc-Corp in Green Bay, Wis., has given its top lawyer additional duties after another executive's retirement.

Bank Mutual in Milwaukee has agreed to support an activist investor's nominee to its board.

Advia Credit Union in Parchment, Mich., has agreed to buy Mid America Bank in Janesville, Wis. The $1.2 billion-asset Advia did not say what it will pay for the $84 million-asset Mid America.

Citizens Community Bancorp in Eau Claire, Wis., has agreed to buy Old Murry Bancorp in Rice Lake, Wis.

Bank executives have faced relentless questions about their energy-sector exposure during fourth-quarter earnings calls this month, as oil has bobbed above and below $30 a barrel. They are taking more drastic actions to contain losses, but it still might not be enough.

Associated Banc-Corp in Green Bay, Wis., reported fourth-quarter earnings of $42.8 million, a 12.2% drop from a year earlier as the company set aside a significantly higher amount of money to address potential problems in its energy portfolio.