Americas

Provident Bank president and chief executive Jack Kopnisky wasted no time in making good on his promise to hire bankers away from his competitors.

East West Bancorp Inc.'s shares surged early Friday following news that the Pasadena, Calif., company had a record-breaking 2011 and plans to double its dividend.

Serial acquirer Grandpoint Capital Inc. has announced its first acquisition of 2012 as it prepares for the closing of its last announced deal.

BankUnited Inc. once seemed intent to grow on its own. But now, after a brief flirtation with selling itself, the company's main job will be assuring key constituents that it's simply going to stick around.

Westamerica Bancorp. in San Rafael, Calif., reported fourth-quarter earnings of $21.8 million, down 8% from a year earlier.

PacWest Bancorp in Los Angeles reported higher quarterly earnings Wednesday after recouping more covered losses from its failed-bank acquisitions.

Pulaski Financial Corp. in St. Louis said Tuesday that profits in its fiscal-year first quarter fell 3% from a year earlier, to $3 million, due to a slowdown in mortgage activity.

Landmark Bancorp Inc. in Manhattan, Kan., is buying Wellsville Bancshares Inc. in what would be its first bank acquisition in more than six years.

BancorpSouth Inc. in Tupelo, Miss., on Tuesday reported better-than-expected earnings for the fourth quarter and hopes to parlay the good news into a successful capital-raising effort.

The president and chief executive of First South Bancorp Inc. in Washington, N.C., is stepping down after more than three decades as its leader.