Americas

Congressional Bancshares of Bethesda, Md., has promoted to chief executive the former president of its Congressional Bank subsidiary.

Matt Hildreth has been named Dallas chairman and chief executive for the $13 billion-asset Amegy Bank in Houston, Amegy said Monday.

The Spokane, Wash., bank could not rename its two retail operations in California "Sterling" because of legal matters, so executives turned to their French-English dictionary for a unique substitute: "Argent."

Determined to stay independent, Allegiance Bancshares is looking for more deals like its recent one with Independence Bank so it can get big enough to go public. Other Texas banks could be attracted by the chance to join a soon-to-be public company.

John Koelmel will receive a severance package from First Niagara Financial Group (FNFG) that is 38% smaller than previous reports had indicated.

Roma Financial (ROMA) in Robbinsville, N.J., swung to a loss in the second quarter thanks to a check-kiting scheme.

Jacksonville Bancorp (JAXB) in Florida recorded its second straight quarterly profit as it continues to clean up its loan portfolio.

Prosperity Bancshares is finding that its recent deals — which allowed the Houston company to expand in highly coveted businesses such as private banking and cards — are producing a nice boost to fee income.

The $902 million-asset company said Friday that it plans to shut down First Financial Diversified, which provides escrow services to First Financial and other customers.

Bryn Mawr Bank (BMTC) in Pennsylvania and MidCoast Community Bancorp in Wilmington, Del., have terminated plans to merge.