United Community Banks in Blairsville, Ga., has agreed to buy Tidelands Bancshares in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., for $2.2 million in cash, or 52 cents a share.

"In Northwest Arkansas there are a lot of banks with similar names," Chairman Jon Harrell said in a news release about the rebranding, which includes a new logo and signage. "We wanted a name that would stand out and at the same time it was important to us to not lose sight of our roots."

Several banks have recently purchased highly visible properties in strategically important markets, investing in real estate at a time when the industry is closing branches at a record pace. Low rates may be a factor, but many bankers are also trying to send a message to clients and prospects.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial's main lending unit is eyeing further acquisitions in the U.S. and Asia as part of its longstanding aspirations to become one of the world's leading commercial banks, the unit's new president said.

First Financial in Terre Haute, Ind., has sold its insurance brokerage unit to USI Insurance Services in Valhalla, N.Y.

BofI Holding in San Diego has bought an equipment finance business from PacWest Bancorp in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Talmer Bancorp in Michigan agreed in January to sell itself for 2.3% less than its stock price at the time. In a recent filing, Talmer gave its rationale for the contentious take-under, emphasizing the deal's long-term benefits.

What makes a true leader is particularly relevant to the banking industry, in which the leading institutions and key individuals are not always defined by asset size.

BNC Bancorp in High Point, N.C., has delayed the closing of its acquisition of Southcoast Financial in Mount Pleasant, S.C., as the Federal Reserve has not completed its review of the deal.

Bank of America appears to be retaining more deposits from recent branch sales, using technological advancements to keep customers despite the lack of a physical location.

Brickell Bank in Miami has bought a trade finance portfolio from the investment brokerage firm INTL FCStone.

Blue Ridge Bankshares in Luray, Va., has agreed to buy River Bancorp in Martinsville, Va.

Franklin Financial Network in Franklin, Tenn., plans a debt issuance to pay for its recently completed exit from the Small Business Lending Fund and to fund other activities.

The management team at Western Alliance Bancorp. has decades of experience with hotel development. The company's pending purchase of a large loan book — and expansion into national hotel lending — will be scrutinized in coming years.

First State Bank of DeKalb County in Fort Payne, Ala., has agreed to buy First Bank of the South in Rainsville, Ala.

Huntington Bancshares has partnered with the owner of the NBA's Detroit Pistons to provide $25 million in financial support in Flint, Mich., in response to the city's drinking water crisis.

State Street has agreed to buy General Electric's asset management unit for as much as $485 million.

Western Alliance Bancorp. in Phoenix has agreed to buy GE Capital's hotel franchise finance loan portfolio.

ConnectOne Bancorp in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., has exited the Small Business Lending Fund program.

A recent meeting with the OCC is giving mutual thrifts hope that they can find a way to bring in more capital before the next recession. The OCC, while open to a solution, is keen to protect the rights of those institutions' deposit holders.