Americas

Borrowing by homeowners and improving credit quality boosted third-quarter profits at BancorpSouth (BXS) of Tupelo, Miss. The $13.2 billion-asset company said late Thursday that its earnings doubled, to $23.8 million, compared with a year earlier.

Pinnacle, the flagship bank unit of the $6.7 billion-asset Pinnacle Bancorp, agreed last Thursday to buy the $183 million-asset First State Bank of Joplin in Missouri. A day later, the bank announced plans to buy the $139 million-asset Hastings State Bank in Nebraska.

KCB Bank in Kearney, Mo., a unit of Bancshares of Missouri, filed an application this month with the Federal Reserve to assume the assets and liabilities of the $38 million-asset Northland National Bank in Gladstone, Mo.

Jeff Davis Bancshares of Jennings, La., has agreed to acquire Guaranty Capital, as the buyer expands northward in its home state.

Strong mortgage banking revenue boosted third-quarter earnings at Umpqua Holdings (UMPQ) by almost 15% from a year earlier, to $25 million.

Associated Banc-Corp in Green Bay, Wis., announced plans to close a dozen branches a day before it is scheduled to release its third-quarter results.

American State Bancshares in Great Bend, Kan., has taken a small step towards its goal of becoming a $1 billion-asset company.

Rising mortgage lending and a growing wealth management business is propelling profits at First Republic Bank (FRC) in San Francisco.

Third-quarter earnings at Taylor Capital Group (TAYC) more than doubled to $15 million from last year as mortgage banking revenue continued to soar.

Shares of Cathay General Bancorp soared Wednesday after the Los Angeles company reported a nearly 20% increase in its third-quarter profit.