Americas

After years of bulking up on shared national credits, a number of regional banks are cutting back because of the heartburn from problem oil and gas loans. A few lenders are refusing to budge, but many will have no choice if they want to dilute the energy risk on their books.

The Little Rock, Ark., bank got the final regulatory approval it needed to buy C&S and C1, but not before agreeing to address some community reinvestment concerns in the Atlanta market and elsewhere.

Iberiabank in Lafayette, La., has added a retired investment banker to its board. The $20 billion-asset company said in a press release Tuesday that Rick Maples, who once was head of investment banking at Stifel Financial, had become a director.

The Canadian company is determined to rely on low-cost deposits, lending prowess and cross-selling to justify the price it will pay for PrivateBancorp. Each of those strategies could backfire, highlighting why most acquirers emphasize cost-cutting when pitching a deal.

First Midwest Bancorp in Itasca, Ill., has agreed to buy Standard Bancshares in Hickory Hills, Ill.

WaterStone Financial in Wauwatosa, Wis., has promoted from within to fill its chief financial officer role.

Amegy Bank of Texas in Houston has promoted Laif Afseth from executive director of commercial and industrial lending to president of the company.

Dollar Bank in Pittsburgh has agreed to buy Bank @lantec in Virginia Beach.

Synovus Financial struggled along with its customers during the financial crisis. Now that it's healthy again, it credits the strong ties it built with those customers, and the involvement of its executives in the communities they serve, with helping restore its status as one of banking's most reputable brands.

A trio of banks will buy more than $1.4 billion in franchise loans from GE Capital.