Americas

Commerce Bancshares in Kansas City, Mo., said Monday that first-quarter profits fell 5% from a year earlier, to $61.1 million, as net interest income fell and expenses rose.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Shared branching network CU Service Centers of Alabama is set to return $147,000 in patronage rebates and dividends, the fourth consecutive year it has done so.

Wells Fargo in San Francisco and a unit of Blackstone Group have agreed to buy commercial real estate loans held by GE Capital in transactions valued at $23 billion.

The Western Independent Bankers, a San Francisco industry group, has a new president and chief executive.

Financial Institutions Inc. in Warsaw, N.Y., increased the size of its debt offering by 14% due to high demand.

Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin said Thursday that it has offered buyouts to nearly 20% of its employees and is closing six branches as part of its ongoing effort to improve efficiency.

Financial Institutions Inc. in Warsaw, N.Y., has begun a $35 million debt offering to help fund growth.

Community First Bank in Seneca, S.C., has overhauled its executive management team, including naming new chief executive, financial and credit officers.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's proposed rule cracking down on predatory payday lenders could wind up shutting down some credit unions' consumer-friendly payday loan alternatives.

The $5.8 billion First Financial said in a press release Wednesday that it will pay $1.9 million in cash for 4Trust Mortgage in a deal that should close next month.