Americas

John Poelker recently stepped down from CertusHoldings in Greenville, S.C., but in less than a year on the job he broke up a $1.7 billion-asset company that had lost roughly $170 million from 2012 to 2014 amid investor claims of mismanagement and excessive spending by his predecessors. Here's a look at how he did it.

Citizens Financial Group in Providence, R.I., has named two new state presidents for Citizens Bank in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Bear State Financial in Little Rock, Ark., has agreed to buy Metropolitan National Bank in Springfield, Mo.

Fifth Third Bancorp in Cincinnati will close or sell about 100 branches=, or about 7% of its total branch network.

Two community banks that focus on underbanked and low-income populations, City First Bank of D.C. and Southern Bancorp in Arkadelphia, Ark., have joined an international group that promotes socially and environmentally responsible development.

Austin Capital Bank, a $71.4 million-asset institution based in Texas, will originate loans for a new online consumer lending platform called Self Lender, the two companies announced.

Yadkin Financial in Raleigh, N.C., has agreed to sell two branches in North Carolina to Select Bancorp in Dunn, N.C.

Home Bancorp in Lafayette, La., has agreed to buy Louisiana Bancorp in Metairie for about $75 million, or $24.25 a share, in cash. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter.

While hosting its second annual community carnival at its Hilliard branch last week, Credit Union of Ohio used the occasion to unveil a new logo and refreshed website.

Pinnacle Financial Partners in Nashville, Tenn., has added the president of a Knoxville, Tenn., accounting firm to its board.