Americas

The chief financial officer at Synovus Financial in Columbus, Ga., plans to retire later this year.

The burgeoning industry has been hoping the Supreme Court would overturn a problematic lower-court ruling, but the unexpected passing of a conservative stalwart makes that outcome less likely.

The $325 million-asset State Bank said in a press release Tuesday that it will pay $29.6 million in cash and stock for the $206 million-asset Country Bank.

Citizens Community Bancorp in Eau Claire, Wis., has agreed to buy Old Murry Bancorp in Rice Lake, Wis.

There is concern that a decline in condo pricing could create loan problems similar to those that cropped up before the financial crisis. Bankers in the area, however, believe foreign investors would take the biggest hit.

Sterling Bancshares in Poplar Bluff, Mo., has completed its purchase of Bootheel Bancorp in Poplar Bluff.

Fifth Third Bancorp in Cincinnati said Thursday that it will spend $27.5 billion over the next five years to provide loans and other financial services to underserved communities in its region.

Bank of Botetourt in Buchanan, Va., founded in 1899, said Thursday it has opened a mortgage division to pursue unmet demand for home loans in southwestern Virginia.

The $2 billion-asset Hampton Roads said in a press release Wednesday that it will pay $107.2 million in stock for the $1 billion-asset Xenith.

KeyCorp hit fresh political resistance in New York to its $4.1 billion acquisition of First Niagara Financial Group Inc., with Governor Andrew Cuomo pushing federal regulators on Wednesday to block the deal. Shares of both companies fell.