Americas

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (FMBL) in California posted higher quarterly profits as lending grew.

Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) in Little Rock, Ark., got an earnings boost ahead of its acquisition of a Houston bank.

Bond Street Holdings in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., seems to have dodged the curse of the canceled bank deal.

M&T Bank (MTB) reported fourth-quarter earnings well short of analysts' estimates, capping a challenging year in which regulatory troubles led to spiraling costs.

Webster Financial (WBS) in Waterbury, Conn., reported lower fourth-quarter profit after taking a big charge tied to the Volcker Rule.

Comerica (CMA) in Dallas posted higher fourth-quarter earnings because of fewer chargeoffs and a smaller loan-loss provision.

First Horizon National (FHN) in Memphis, Tenn., returned to profitability in the fourth quarter after recording a benefit for income taxes.

The $2 billion-asset company said late Thursday that it would sell branches in Anthony and Harper to BancCentral in Alva, Okla. A third branch, in Overland Park, is being sold to Fidelity Bank in Wichita, Kan.

Associated Banc-Corp (ASBC) posted a fourth-quarter profit of $47.8 million, up 2.4% from a year earlier.

Bay Commercial Bank (BCML) in Walnut Creek, Calif., has agreed to buy Bank On It Inc. (BKOT) in Stockton, Calif.